A groundbreaking retail facility adjacent to the EXPO 2025 Osaka Arena has been constructed using an innovative approach that transforms marine plastic waste into architectural building materials. The Umi-Kuru Retail Facility, designed by TAISEI DESIGN Planners Architects & Engineers, represents a pioneering effort in sustainable construction, utilizing 100% recycled ocean plastic waste for its exterior panels. The 88-square-meter structure was completed in 2024 and serves as a powerful demonstration of circular economy principles at the world exposition site.
The project began with the architects personally collecting marine plastic waste from coastal areas across Japan, including the shores of Tsushima in Nagasaki Prefecture. This hands-on approach to sourcing materials underscores the project's commitment to addressing the global issue of marine plastic pollution, which severely impacts ecosystems worldwide. The collected waste was then processed and transformed into 5,000 exterior panels, equivalent to approximately 30,000 recycled plastic bottles.
The exterior design draws inspiration from a school of fish swimming in blue skies, with panels that serve both aesthetic and functional purposes. These recycled panels filter harsh summer sunlight, creating dappled lighting effects within the space while maintaining the structural integrity required for the coastal location. Each panel underwent rigorous testing, including material strength assessments, wind tunnel experiments, and exposure testing to ensure commercial-grade quality and durability.
Engineered specifically for the windy coastal environment of the Osaka Bay area, the structure features an innovative wind-responsive system. The exterior panels are designed to rotate freely with wind currents, significantly reducing wind load on the building. By strategically offsetting the suspension points of stainless steel wires, the design achieves a scale-like formation resembling fish scales that naturally stabilizes at angles less than 15 degrees relative to wind direction. Through extensive wind tunnel testing and structural refinements, the system can withstand wind speeds of up to 40 meters per second.
The building's foundation and framework prioritize sustainability and reusability, designed for easy assembly and disassembly with plans for relocation or repurposing as furniture after the Expo concludes. The structure utilizes simple, cost-effective pipes connected through precision-machined stainless steel clamps that were specifically developed for this project. These minimal and stylish connecting elements can be assembled and disassembled manually, ensuring the building doesn't feel temporary despite its modular construction approach.
Environmental consciousness extends to the flooring, which features reed chip pavement made from local materials. The reeds were harvested from the Udono area along Osaka's Yodo River, supporting water quality improvement through periodic cutting while promoting local production and consumption principles. The warm-colored reed surface creates a comfortable, relaxing environment for visitors while contributing to river ecosystem protection.
The project team included lighting design by LIGHTDESIGN INC., with construction handled by Taisei Corporation. Key design team members were Hiroshi Katsumata, Nguyen Quang Tuan, Sayaka Yamada, and Guo Haoyang, with structural engineering by Takeshi Goshozono and Naohiro Kadozumi. The marine plastic upcycling was managed by buoyYoshi Design and Atelier MAY, while metal components were provided by Hamano Products Co., Ltd.
As a demonstration project at EXPO 2025 Osaka, the Umi-Kuru Retail Facility serves as a tangible example of how architectural innovation can address global environmental challenges. The structure aims to promote circular economy concepts to the millions of international visitors expected at the exposition, showing how waste materials can be transformed into functional, aesthetically pleasing architecture that doesn't compromise on safety or durability.
