The Czech National Pavilion at EXPO 2025 has earned its fourth prestigious award, a silver prize for architecture from the Bureau International des Expositions
The Czech Pavilion at the World EXPO 2025 in Osaka has received the Silver Award from the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) for architecture in the category of small and medium-sized pavilions up to 1,500 m². At the very end of the world exhibition, it thus earned its fourth major recognition — following the gold medal in the People’s Choice category and the silver award for Best Mascot in the World Expolympics competition, as well as the European Union’s award for exceptional hospitality. This marks the best placement in the architecture category in 55, or respectively 67, years.
The announcement of the BIE Awards took place at the conclusion of the world exhibition in the largest indoor hall of the EXPO 2025 site, the Shining Hat Hall, and was attended by representatives of nearly all participating countries along with other distinguished guests. The Czech Pavilion was recognized by the expert jury as an exceptional architectural work that incorporated tradition, innovation, and sustainability.
“Our design for the national pavilion at EXPO 2025 combines modern architecture, a bold sculptural approach to this specific typology, and a strong focus on sustainability and innovation. The entire project represents the extraordinary effort not only of our team of architects but also of the builders who brought the pavilion to life—and, of course, of Commissioner General Soška’s team. We therefore greatly appreciate this recognition in the prestigious BIE Official Participant Award – Architecture & Landscape competition, and we are sincerely grateful to both the expert jury and the organizers,” said Michal Gabaš of Apropos Architects, the author of the architectural design of the Czech National Pavilion.
The pavilion, whose architecture references centuries of Czech glassmaking tradition while also utilizing modern CLT wood technology, has been regarded from the start of the exhibition as one of the most interesting architectural exhibits at EXPO. It became the tallest CLT structure in Japan without a metal supporting framework. The combination of visual originality and a concept linking science, art, and craft captivated both experts and the general public.
“The awards we have received are proof that Czechia managed to impress not only with its content but also with its original architectural design. The pavilion is visually striking, technologically innovative, and yet clearly reflects Czech tradition. In doing so, we built on the legendary success of the Czechoslovak pavilion at EXPO 1970 in Osaka—exactly 55 years later, we have once again captured the attention of the Japanese audience. Immense thanks go to everyone who contributed to this project,” said Commissioner General of the Czech participation at EXPO 2025, Ondřej Soška.
In the final days of the exhibition, the Czech Pavilion was also visited by former presidential candidate and current First Deputy Chair of the Senate of the Parliament of Czechia, Jiří Drahoš. “I am very pleased with the awards the Czech Pavilion has received. There are many of them, and they are entirely well-deserved. When I first saw the pavilion, I was sure that the Japanese audience would like it. It is an original and imaginative style of architecture that fits perfectly here. This continues the successes of Czechoslovak pavilions from the 1950s to the 1970s,” Jiří Drahoš said during his visit to the EXPO 2025 site.
This year’s victory in the Expolympics awards represents only the third gold award for a pavilion in the history of Czechoslovakia’s and Czechia’s participation in world EXPOs, and it is the first triumph in 67 years. It is also the best architectural recognition in 55 years.
Gold awards for the pavilion in the history of world exhibitions:
- Paris 1937 – The Czechoslovak Pavilion received the Grand Prix, the main prize of the exhibition, for modern architecture and a high-quality exhibit.
- Brussels 1958 – At the famous “Brussels Exhibition,” the Czechoslovak Pavilion won the Golden Star, the highest award of the entire EXPO, along with thirteen additional individual prizes.
- Osaka 2025 – The Czech Pavilion received the gold medal People’s Choice, determined by the visitors themselves, and also won the silver award for Best Mascot.
The Czechoslovak Pavilion also received a special award from the Japan Institute of Architects at EXPO 1970 in Osaka, shared with Switzerland and Canada. The only architectural award in the past 55 years, specifically a bronze prize, was given by the BIE to the Czech Pavilion at EXPO 2015 in Milan, designed by Chybik + Kristof Architects and built by Koma Modular.
About the Czech Pavilion at EXPO 2025
In December 2022, after more than twenty years, the Office of the Commissioner General announced an open, anonymous architectural competition to design the National Pavilion for EXPO 2025. A total of 38 design teams submitted their proposals. In March 2023, a professional jury chaired by world-renowned architect Eva Jiřičná selected the winning concept: a glass spiral design by Apropos Architects. The pavilion’s main structure is made of modern wooden panels, while the façade features artistic glass—a material with a centuries-old tradition in Czechia. The Czech National Pavilion offers a dignified and functional space for Czechia’s participation at EXPO 2025, which will take place from April to October 2025 on the artificial island of Yumeshima in Osaka Bay. Inside the pavilion, visitors will find a permanent exhibition, a multifunctional auditorium, business facilities, a restaurant, and the CTP Lounge. In front of the pavilion, a seaside relaxation zone offers a scenic view for guests. The pavilion was officially approved in early April 2025 and is the largest wooden structure of its kind in Japan built without a metal support frame.