Switzerland Pavilion Expo 2025 Osaka / Manuel Herz Architects

From Heidi to high-tech: a showcase of Swiss collaborative innovation. The Swiss pavilion takes visitors on an immersive and interactive journey through collaborative innovation. Twenty years after the country's impactful participation in Aichi, the same commissioner general will inaugurate a fresh and dynamic programme under the title From Heidi to High-Tech. This narrative reflects Switzerland's evolution from its iconic Alpine heritage to a globally recognised hub of cutting-edge technology and innovation. Beloved by generations in Japan, the timeless figure of Heidi will serve as the pavilion's official mascot, embodying the spirit of friendship between the two nations. The Swiss Pavilion presents a unique opportunity to deepen the already strong bilateral ties, particularly as Japan stands as Switzerland's most significant partner in Asia for science and technology. This collaboration aims to inspire new exchanges with a forward-looking perspective.

The task – Three desires: (re) produce, experiment, and contemplate. The need to have a space on a domestic scale to grow vegetables out of season and experiment in the reproduction of plants under controlled temperatures, which will then be inserted into their immediate environment, gradually adapting to the climate of the place. Also, the desire to create a space for leisure, enjoyment, and contemplation.

When commissioned to design a storage facility for recreational vehicles, the directive from the client was driven by economy - the building had to generate positive revenue from minimal start-up costs. Our response to this client brief was not to sacrifice quality, but to find opportunity in scarcity. We reimagined the typology of 'storage facility' by rejecting the banal metal-clad box that is commonplace across North America. Freed from this architectural constraint, our structure is designed to be robust and secure yet spacious and light, engaging through sparse detailing and finishes, and regionally grounded through material honesty.

In the heart of the village of Val-d'Illiez, a historic chalet dating back to 1891 is reborn as a new town hall.