The State of Kuwait and architectural firm LAVA (Laboratory for Visionary Architecture) unveiled the design of the Kuwait Pavilion at the upcoming World Expo 2025. Centred around the concept of a ‘Visionary Lighthouse’, the winged pavilion aims to showcase the country’s ambitions for a sustainable future.

“We’re pleased and honoured to unveil the State of Kuwait’s pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka. It will serve to forge bridges of friendship and solidarity between Kuwait and Japan, as well as among all nations around the world,” Salem Al-Waytan, Commissioner General of the State of Kuwait for Expo 2025 Osaka, tells SceneHome.

Fifty-four years ago, Kuwait was one of only four Arab nations present at Expo 1970 in Osaka. In 2025, it returns with a winged pavilion to be built by NUSSLi, an expert in constructing country pavilions. This will be the second time that NUSSLI built the Kuwait pavilion after Expo 2015 Milano.

“The architectural concept with its unusual shapes and materials and the extraordinary combination of tradition and high-tech in the exhibition are a complex undertaking,” Harald Dosch, Director Business Development of NUSSLI, says. Often referred to as a lighthouse of culture and tolerance for its contributions to Arab culture, arts and social work, Kuwait will present itself as a ‘Visionary Lighthouse’ that lights up the Gulf region.

“The pavilion’s architecture seamlessly weaves Kuwait’s natural environment and traditions throughout its design,” Christian Tschersich, Associate Partner at LAVA, explains. “With the concept of the Visionary Lighthouse, we aim to showcase Kuwait’s timeless vision for the future at Expo 2025 in Osaka.”

The inviting architecture with its opening wings - resembling a welcoming gesture - symbolises the country’s famous hospitality. The pavilion is bright, and its facade illuminates at night, underlining its ‘lighthouse’ theme as literally as possible. The heart of the two-story pavilion with its grand roof is intended to inspire reflection on Kuwait’s future. Designed as a central dome, this main space is inspired by the idea of resting in the desert at night under the starry sky. The courtyard at the back of the pavilion is modelled on traditional Islamic architecture and features a beautiful garden with typical Kuwaiti planting.

Creative agency insglück developed the concept of the pavilion’s exhibition. In four exhibition rooms, visitors experience a journey through the Gulf state’s past, present and future. The exhibition uses interactive spatial staging and culminates in a vast explorative dome projection that makes the visit immersive.

The exhibition starts with a captivating pre-show that inspires visitors to visualise the secrets of Kuwait in a supersized pearl. They then enter a room that conveys the history of the trading nation in a desert setting. In the third exhibition room, the people of Kuwait take centre stage. Along a large interactive wall, which is designed like a large tableau of Kuwaiti society, visitors encounter select personalities and projects that give them a first-hand experience of the country. Through an impressive dome projection in the main show, visitors actively shape the future with their wishes and dreams for tomorrow.