facts and fiction, a creative agency specialising in creating experiential spaces, was involved in the design of the national pavilions for Germany, Austria, and the European Union (EU) at Expo 2025 Osaka, which concluded on 13 October after a six-month duration. The agency has received several awards for its work on the German and Austrian pavilions.
The World Expo in Osaka is Japan’s third, following events in 1970 and 2005. Focused on Designing Future Society for Our Lives, it included 150 countries and 25 organisations. Over 25 million people visited, with facts and fiction supporting Germany, Austria, and the EU. After 184 days, the agency reports highly positive results.
18 Awards for Germany and Austria
The agency received 18 awards for the German and Austrian pavilions. The international jury of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) presented the German Pavilion—commissioned by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy—with the Silver Award for Theme Development (Self-built Pavilions – Type A, over 1,500 m²).
Additionally, the German Pavilion was given the Sustainability Award, which recognises pavilions that integrate sustainability in both concept and execution.
The Austrian Pavilion received the Bronze award for Exhibition Design (Self-built Pavilions – Type A, under 1,500 m²).
“The awards at the end of these intense months are a meaningful recognition of the entire team – and reflect what we experienced daily in Osaka: genuine enthusiasm and international connectedness” says Christopher Hecker, director of the German Pavilion on behalf of Koelnmesse.
Stefan Schilling
“Over the past six months, the German Pavilion has become a vibrant place of exchange, connecting people from all over the world. Its open and welcoming atmosphere inspired visitors to gain new perspectives on a circular future and engage in dialogue. A pavilion that will leave a lasting impression through its content and encounters.”
Germany received an Honourable Mention for "Best Large Pavilion" and won "Best Exterior Design" at the EXHIBITOR Magazine’s World Expo Award. Austria earned Honourable Mentions for "Best Exterior Design" and "Best Presentation/Storytelling." At the World Expolympics Award, Germany took Gold for "Best Sustainable Pavilion," while Austria received Silver for "Best Small Pavilion" and Bronze for "Best Activation or Engagement."
Stefan Schilling
These awards highlight outstanding experiential design at Expo 2025 Osaka.
Narratives that move people
“Expo 2025 in Osaka was more than just a project for us – it was a labour of love," says Marco Hückel, managing partner at facts and fiction.
“In the pavilions of Germany, Austria and the European Union, we were able to tell stories about values, innovation and optimism. We wanted to show that the future can not only be envisioned but also experienced and felt. That our work has been recognised both by expert juries and millions of visitors is the greatest form of appreciation we could wish for.
"It proves that our narratives reach, inspire and move people – something that fills us with pride and deep gratitude.”
Designed by LAVA Architects, the German Pavilion showcased modular, demountable construction with mostly local, rented, or reusable materials, embodying circularity and earning several awards, including the ICONIC AWARDS, Green Good Design Awards, and Big SEE Architecture Awards.
Stefan Schilling
The Austrian Pavilion, created by BWM Designers & Architects, features a distinctive oversized musical score incorporated into its exterior design.
The timber spiral structure has received recognition from various juries, including the Green Planet Building Technology Award, an Honourable Mention in the "Architectural Design / Cultural" category at the BLT Built Design Awards, and a Special Prize in "Public Buildings and Municipal Construction" at the NÖ Timber Construction Award 2025.
The Circulars, mascots based on Japanese Kawaii style, guided visitors through the German Pavilion and featured as next-generation audioguides. They automatically lit up and vibrated at key moments to draw attention. Over 40 touchpoints let visitors explore content and engage at their own pace, while the mascots interacted when placed together.
This playful concept engaged visitors emotionally and sparked interest, making the Circulars a standout attraction at the German Pavilion, whether as audioguides, walking acts, or plush toys.
Stefan Schilling
At the Expo Characters World Festival in September, visitors voted the German Pavilion's Circulars as the most popular mascot of Expo 2025.
Looking to the future
“For us, the Expo in Osaka was a fascinating journey with three very special projects. Each pavilion, in its own way, showed how vibrantly and compellingly future topics can be communicated," says Andreas Horbelt, creative director at facts and fiction.
"In particular, the Circulars in the German Pavilion became a true crowd-puller – with humour and lightness, they conveyed complex content in a personal way. Seeing visitors leave the pavilion with a smile every day was the best feedback we could imagine.”
The next World Expo is scheduled from 15 May to 15 August 2027 in Belgrade, marking the first specialised Expo in Southeast Europe. The following major Expo will be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from 1 October 2030 to 31 March 2031.
Stefan Schilling
“We hope to once again contribute pavilion concepts in Belgrade and Riyadh. Expo 2025 in Osaka has once more shown us the power of shared engagement with the big questions of our future," says Dietmar Jähn, managing partner of facts and fiction.
"With the pavilions of Germany, Austria and the EU, we were able to create spaces where visions could be experienced and dialogue could flourish. Being part of this global conversation is a privilege and a responsibility. The many awards our pavilions have received are both a recognition of this work and an incentive to keep pushing forward.”
facts and fiction brings 25 years of experience in Expo participation, having successfully delivered 13 national contributions. The agency’s inaugural pavilion was developed for the German Chemical Industry Association (VCI) at Expo 2000 in Hanover.
Subsequent projects include national pavilions for Germany at Expo 2012 in Yeosu (South Korea), Monaco and Kazakhstan at Expo 2015 in Milan (Italy), France (Total) and Azerbaijan at Expo 2017 in Astana (Kazakhstan), as well as Germany, Monaco, Belgium, and Jordan at Expo 2020 in Dubai.
See also: 20 of the best country pavilions at Expo 2025 Osaka
