ES Global, a leading contractor responsible for bringing to life large-scale events venues and projects around the world, is celebrating the opening of the UK Pavilion at World Expo 2025 Osaka.
The pavilion, which officially opened to visitors on 13 April, was designed and built by ES Global in collaboration with WOO architects, a specialist in the design of temporary and demountable structures.
Built with a completely reusable modular structure, the pavilion combines elements of heritage and innovative design to reflect the UK’s rich tradition of world-shaping innovations, from the Industrial Revolution to the present day, and beyond.
See also: 20 of the best country pavilions at Expo 2025 Osaka
Sustainable system
To deliver the pavilion, ES Global deployed its new Global Modular System (GMS), an advanced, wide-span steel system for both demountable and permanent construction. With a lightweight foundation, GMS prioritises sustainability at all stages of installation and relocation.
This system facilitated the creation of a 1,760 square metre, permanent-quality structure which was constructed on a modular grid measuring 10 by 10 metres. The whole pavilion has been designed to be taken down and reused after the Expo, in contrast to many of the pavilions which will be demolished.
Built using a kit of relocatable parts, its key components, including the structure, floor plates, and external cladding, can be moved and reconstructed with minimal labour or plant, reducing waste and promoting a circular economy.
Olly Watts, joint CEO of ES Global, says: “It’s spectacular. Our team is used to working to ‘show-must-go-on’ deadlines for major international events, but seeing the Global Modular System come to life with tight scheduling is proof of its versatility. It shows what’s possible when you design for speed, sustainability and reuse – qualities that are essential for the future of culture and entertainment venues.”
Showcasing innovation & creativity
The pavilion’s façade, which is clad with powder-coated aluminium, highlights a contemporary, parametric design.
An articulated block pattern of folded perforated panels covers the structure, creating a dynamic, pixelated pattern. This changes in appearance as light interacts with the surface during the day. At night, the façade’s lighting reveals the Union Jack flag behind the perforated façade, and can also deliver pixelated animation for evening events.
Inside the pavilion, a content-led experience designed by Immersive International immerses guests in the UK’s scientific, technological, and artistic achievements. The exterior reflects this narrative and is inspired by the early inventions of the Industrial Revolution.
The punched cards used in textile looms, an early example of programmable technology that created complex fabric patterns, are echoed by the perforated panels. This honours the textile industries that drove industrial revolutions in both the UK and Japan, bringing together a shared tradition of innovation with a bold, digital-age vision.
Carolyn Davidson, the UK’s commissioner general for Expo 2025, said: “The UK Pavilion is a bold showcase of British innovation, creativity and sustainability on the world stage. Delivered at pace and to the highest standards, it demonstrates how modern construction methods can meet ambitious goals while celebrating the best of British talent in design, engineering and storytelling.”
In order to ensure the ongoing purpose and minimise the environmental impact of the pavilion structure, ES Global is actively exploring opportunities for the frame materials to be reused at events in Japan and across the globe.
Together with BRC Imagination Arts, Trahan Architects, and Alchemy, ES Global has also completed the USA Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka in Japan. This pavilion serves as a cultural ambassador for the United States, celebrating American architecture, exhibition design, culture, and innovation.
