Carlo Ratti to Design French Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka

Carlo Ratti, recently appointed curator of the 19th International Architecture Exhibition at Venice, continues his work on world expositions with the French Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka. His firm CRA – Carlo Ratti Associati, together with French studio Coldefy, won the competition with the project Theatrum Naturae. The pavilion, titled 'Theatre of Nature,' aims to bridge the gap between humans and other life forms, fostering new interactions between culture and environment. The design is structured as a three-act narrative: the Ascent, the Discovery of Nature, and the Return to Earth. Visitors will traverse a winding staircase leading to a panoramic balcony, then enter a continuous ring-shaped tent for full interior exploration, culminating on a rooftop garden that serves as a protective barrier and shared space for all species. The garden showcases diverse French landscapes from mountains to coast, emphasizing the vital connection with nature. Ratti stated that in the context of the climate crisis, the role of expositions must evolve, combining organic and technological intelligence to redefine connections between people and nature. Expo 2025 Osaka runs from April 13 to October 13, 2025. Other architects involved include Foster + Partners, Sou Fujimoto, Shigeru Ban, selgascano, MCA Mario Cucinella Architects, and AMDL CIRCLE.