Malaysian Pavilion at the 2025 World Expo in Japan

The Malaysian Pavilion, exhibited at the 2025 World Expo in Japan (Osaka-Kansai Expo), is a space that comprehensively expresses the tradition, diversity, and advanced nature of the multi-ethnic nation of Malaysia, with the theme of "INTERWOVEN - Weaving a Harmonious Future." At the center of the pavilion is the symbolic "Tree of Harmony," about 10 meters tall, whose leaves are hand-woven by artisans from all over Malaysia using sustainable natural materials, and whose trunk is an organic structure made by weaving fast-growing bamboo in a spiral shape. The morphological language of this design is also deployed in displays floor, lighting, and graphics, symbolizing the network that weaves the entire pavilion. As a pavilion where diversity intersects to weave one big story, it has become a place that embodies hope for a harmonious future.

While Malaysia is rapidly developing, it is also a multi-ethnic nation with a complex mix of traditions, religions, and cultures, and so a major challenge was how to visually express "harmony and coexistence" in an international setting. In addition, the 10m-tall tree design needed to be structurally safe, construction, and easy to construct while maintaining consistency with the architectural concept design. In addition, a strong balance was required between faithful reproduction of the design, cultural resolution, and construction accuracy, in remote and continuous collaboration with an overseas team (Studio RED/brandME).

Based on the theme of "weaving," we established the "Tree of Harmony" as a "structure of harmony" both physically and symbolically by coherently linking the relationship between form, material, light, and space. Based on the design by Studio RED, we made numerous design adjustments and structural verifications, and constructed the optimal cross-section, joint details, and lighting design of the bamboo structure in an integrated design and construction process. The hand-woven leaves convey the regional character and craftsmanship of Malaysia, and each one has the names of the people inscribed on it, creating a device that simultaneously expresses the diversity of the nation and the dignity of the individual. The lighting lines that radiate from the trunk and displays structure are designed to extend the gradual story of "from diversity to advancement" throughout the space, delivering a woven vision of the future to visitors as an experience.