A remarkable architectural marvel has emerged at Expo 2025 Osaka, where The Design Labo, a local architecture studio, has created the Pasona Natureverse Pavilion - a breathtaking structure shaped like a prehistoric marine mollusk shell. The 43-meter-wide pavilion resembles a giant ammonite shell gracefully unfurled on the ground, accompanied by a smaller conch-like companion topped with a sculpture of the cartoon character NEO Astro Boy.
The innovative design, commissioned by staffing company Pasona Group, draws its inspiration from ancient coiled shells that have survived for approximately 400 million years. CEO Satoshi Itasaka explained the profound concept behind the structure: "Coiled shells have changed little for roughly 400 million years. Having survived repeated mass extinctions without being eliminated, they may represent a completed form of life. Since the Expo's theme is life, they adopted the coiled shell as its symbol and conceived a pavilion where visitors can experience the connection between humans and nature and the continuity of life."
The architects didn't merely borrow the aesthetic; they captured the essence of these prehistoric marine creatures to create architecture that tells a story spanning geological time. The design philosophy emphasizes the relationship between humans and the natural world, using the enduring form of ancient shells as a symbol of life's resilience and continuity.
Beyond its striking visual appeal, the pavilion incorporates cutting-edge sustainable technology. The building features an ingenious water-based cooling system that coats the structure's exterior with a thin film of water, significantly reducing the need for traditional air conditioning. The spiral form serves a functional purpose, acting as an efficient method for collecting and reusing both this cooling water and rainwater, which is then recirculated as gray water throughout the building.
The interior experience is equally thoughtful and comprehensive. The pavilion consists of two shell-shaped structures containing a series of interactive exhibition spaces dedicated to exploring physical, mental, and social health. Visitors embark on a spiral journey through three distinct thematic zones titled "History of Life," "Body," and "Mind/Bonds," each featuring a diverse range of interactive and digital displays designed to educate and inspire.
Among the pavilion's most fascinating exhibits is a tree-shaped sculpture depicting the history of evolution and a laboratory-grown heart created through advanced biomaterials and bioengineering techniques. Itasaka describes the diverse content: "Within this grand volume, visitors encounter dynamic moving LED boxes, a zone where they can see a heart created from iPS cells, and an area offering a glimpse into the world of soil microorganisms." These exhibits combine scientific wonder with educational value, creating an immersive learning environment.
The pavilion's commitment to sustainability extends beyond its operational phase. Rather than being a temporary structure destined for demolition after the expo, the 43-meter-wide pavilion was designed to be easily demountable. The construction utilizes a ball-jointed steel structure over which a synthetic white membrane has been stretched, allowing for efficient disassembly and reconstruction. After Expo 2025 concludes, the entire pavilion will be permanently relocated to Awaji Island, where it will serve as a cultural center, giving the building a meaningful and lasting second life.
The structure undergoes a dramatic transformation after sunset, when strips of color-changing lighting along the shell's ridges illuminate the entire pavilion, enhanced by sophisticated projected light effects. The building becomes a glowing beacon that appears almost alive, pulsing with soft, mesmerizing light that makes the spiral form even more captivating and otherworldly.
The project demonstrates that sustainable design doesn't have to sacrifice beauty or emotional impact for functionality. The Design Labo has successfully created something that is both environmentally responsible and emotionally resonant. "We were reminded that biomimetic forms are not only structurally stable but also inherently beautiful," Itasaka noted, highlighting how nature-inspired design can achieve both practical and aesthetic goals.
The Pasona Natureverse Pavilion represents more than just clever architecture; it serves as a meditation on time, evolution, and humanity's place in the natural world. By drawing inspiration from creatures that have survived for millions of years, the designers have created a space that feels both humbling and hopeful. The pavilion stands as an example of how buildings can work with nature rather than against it, offering a vision of architecture that tells meaningful stories, respects the planet, and creates genuine wonder for visitors from around the world.
