Pavilion at EXPO 2005, Japan

A pathway through a Nordic oasis

Nordic unity and national expression

Commissioned by the Nordic Council of Ministers, the Joint Nordic pavilion for the 2005 Expo in Aichi, Japan, needed to express both the unity of the five Nordic countries - providing a coherent experience for visitors - while allowing each nation to express itself.

Common design language

The final design was constructed around the theme of 'An oasis in the North' which had two complementary meanings: that the Nordic countries are a welcoming and relaxing oases in the world and that the pavilion itself would be an oasis - a place to leave the noise of the Expo behind.
This idea provided a framework for the 36 x 36 meter pavilion. A wooden walkway, looped around the inside of the building, divided the pavilion into exhibition zones and, in itself, provided a central gathering place - letting people stop and reflect before exploring again. Thus the walkway acted as both a circulation system and an organizing device that expressed Nordic unity but allowed for diversity of content.

With 2.2 million visitors in 6 months, the pavilion made a major contribution to branding both the Nordic region and its individual members, while building cultural and economic relations with Japan.

Design: Peter Bysted, Philip Egebak, Charlotte Hauch
Client: Nordic Council of Ministers