How did the Czechs build an architectural masterpiece on the other side of the world?
The iconic spiral of the Czech National Pavilion is one of the most prominent displays of architectural artistry at the entire EXPO 2025. Even before the exhibition officially opened, the pavilion has already earned its first “record” – it is the only timber structure of its kind in all of Japan, built without a steel supporting frame. See how the pavilion was built 👇
Architectural competition
In December 2022, after more than two decades of building Czech national pavilions using the Design & Build method, the Commissioner General of the Czech participation at EXPO, Ondřej Soška, decided – after consulting experts from various fields – to return to the tradition of an anonymous architectural competition. This was the approach used for Czech pavilions in places like Brussels, Montreal, or even Osaka back in 1970.
As many as 38 teams entered the competition, and in March 2023, an expert jury led by world-renowned architect Eva Jiřičná selected the winning design – the now-iconic glass spiral by Apropos Architects in collaboration with Tereza Šváchová.
Groundbreaking ceremony and the Jichinsai ritual
Before the construction of the Czech pavilion could begin, it was preceded in May 2024 by a traditional opening ceremony – the so-called groundbreaking ceremony, a symbolic laying of the foundation stone directly on the Czech plot on Yumeshima Island, and also a Jichinsai ritual, a Shinto ritual to appease the deities of the land.
Jichinsai is a deeply rooted tradition in Japan, performed before the construction of any new building. It serves to obtain permission from the spirits of the place – the deities that inhabit the land – and also as a prayer for the smooth and safe progress of the construction.
Technology & construction
The Czech pavilion at EXPO 2025 in Osaka is exceptional not only for its architectural design but also for the materials and technologies used.
Its structure is made of modern CLT panels (cross-laminated timber), which, like the striking glass facade, were manufactured directly in Czechia and then transported to Japan by sea. The wood used comes from Czech forests and was chosen as the main building material for its ecological properties – it actively helps absorb carbon dioxide (CO₂) and thus supports the principles of sustainable construction.
Modern CLT panels
Innovative CLT panel technology allowed the Czech pavilion to be constructed in just six months, three weeks ahead of schedule. The speed of construction surprised observers both in Czechia and in Japan, where the structure itself sparked widespread discussion about modern timber architecture and related building regulations.
Structures without steel frameworks are extremely rare in Japan, so the wooden CLT panels had to undergo a series of durability tests carried out by experts from the University Centre for Energy Efficient Buildings at Czech technical university in Prague (UCEEB). As a result, the structure was confirmed to easily withstand earthquakes and typhoons, which is crucial for construction in seismically active regions.
Glass facade
No less demanding part of the construction is the glass facade of the pavilion, made of large-format panels of Czech glass with a total weight of 55 tons, which meet strict Japanese standards. Their artistic design follows the centuries-old tradition of Czech glassmaking, which has long been admired in Japan, and at the same time acts as an expression of Czech creativity and the ability to combine craft heritage with innovation.
What they wrote about us: A Czech success story at the World Expo 2025
Thanks to meticulous planning, international collaboration, precise Czech manufacturing, and skill, what many considered impossible has become a reality.
Even in Osaka, ten thousand kilometers away, and in record time.
The result is a building that showcases the best of Czech architecture, design, and craftsmanship to the world – and also proves that when Czech talent and creativity combine with innovation and determination, boundaries – whether geographical or technological – disappear.
Companies that pushed the boundaries of Japan architecture
The building contractor is the Japanese company Daisue, which also equipped the pavilion with special anti-earthquake technologies, essential for the safe operation of the building in a seismically active area.
Joint teams of Czech and Japanese workers participated in the construction itself. Experts from the Czech company A2Timber oversaw the precise assembly of CLT panels, which they produced in cooperation with Stora Enso and NOVATOP.
The dominant glass facade was created by AGC Flat Glass Czech in cooperation with the creative studio Kolektiv Ateliers, which provided the glass panels with an original artistic design. The Czech company WIEDEN took care of their precise installation.
