The Poland Pavilion at Expo 2025 – in conversation with architects and conceptual designers

By opting for a type A pavilion – a self-built, detached pavilion – Poland has joined an elite group of participants. Only around 50 out of the 160 participating states took up such a challenge.

The architectural concept was developed by the duo of Alicja Kubicka and Borja Martínez of Interplay Architects. They talked to us about their work on the design.

How did you come up with the idea to take part in the competition for the architectural concept of the Poland Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai?

I and Borja have experience in international projects which we have gained by working at Kengo Kuma & Associates, a Japanese design office. A pavilion representing Poland but located in Japan was for us an extremely appealing challenge, as it gave us an opportunity to harness our knowledge of both countries.

What inspired you during your creative process?

In developing the concept, we were looking for a form which would be dynamic and multidirectional. The plot allocated for the Poland Pavilion is in a corner; from the very beginning, we felt prompted to make use of this asset and to propose a building which would be attractive from various perspectives. We found inspiration in spirals – a shape which has been fascinating mankind for centuries, as it appears naturally on many scales, from protein molecules to forms of galaxies. Right from the very start, we paid close attention to the detail of the façade, striving to link it to the Japanese culture of woodworking which is known globally for its exquisite quality and craft. These musings brought about a dynamic spiral of walls which is characterised by the rich and vibrating texture of wooden modules.

What were the biggest challenges related to this design?

There are many factors due to which designing the Pavilion for the upcoming Expo in Osaka is a unique challenge not only for us, architects, but for all actors who play their key roles in the investment process. One of the biggest challenges is, of course, the very limited time we have. Normally, there are five years for the whole process of choosing, developing and building the design. Preparations for the World Expo in Japan had to be considerably curtailed due to the fact that the previous Expo in Dubai was postponed by a year because of the pandemic. Nonetheless, the project of the construction of the Pavilion is going in the right direction, and we will do our best to complete this exciting task.

What do you think should be the impression that Expo visitors get from the Poland Pavilion? What should they feel seeing both the outside structure and the interior itself?

First, the Pavilion should spark the visitors’ curiosity, then fascinate them and, naturally, make a lasting impression. We believe that visitors to Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai will visit the Polish spiral en masse and that they will perceive Poland very positively due to this unique exhibition.

At Interplay, we had the pleasure to design the concept for the building and for certain characteristic interiors, such as the concert hall or restaurant. The curved sequence of walls and the flow of the space will ensure that visitors can explore the Pavilion intuitively, discovering its further parts bit by bit.

The concept behind the exhibition was, in turn, developed by Monika Brauntsch (KAFTI), Ewa Kierklo and Stanisław Kempa (GDYBY), as well as Wiesław Bartkowski. We are convinced that both designs combine perfectly to create a coherent space which is friendly to the visitors and which not only represents a modern mindset when it comes to design, but is also a tribute to tradition.

What is the “gene of creativity” for you, the gene inscribed in Polish DNA?

We think that creativity is the potential that can be fruitful when buttressed by determination and consistent work. My partner, Borja, has always considered the Polish people to be remarkably hard-working and consistent. Thanks to these traits and the openness to cooperation, Polish people are able to set themselves apart on the international stage in many areas.

What are your plans for the future? 

We are planning to do everything to produce high-quality architecture that respects the environment. After our cooperation with Japan, we see that good design knows no boundaries, which is why we are open to projects in various locations across the world. At the same time, we see Poland as a promising country for the development of our new firm. We continue to participate in competitions and we are open to new design challenges.