Japan House London is delighted to host an online talk with internationally renowned architect Sou Fujimoto, exploring his visionary work for Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan amongst other projects in Japan and beyond.

Expo 2025 (April to October 2025) invites countries and organizations from around the world to present ideas and solutions for a better future.

Fujimoto is the lead designer behind one of the Expo’s most iconic architectural features: the Grand Ring. This vast wooden structure, measuring approximately 600 m in diameter and 2 km in circumference, was assembled using Japanese joinery techniques. It spans the central area of the Expo site and features an elevated skywalk, a landscaped rooftop and a continuous sheltered pathway. The Grand Ring’s design reflects Fujimoto’s philosophy to create a space where people from all cultural backgrounds around the world can gather within a circle.

In this talk, Fujimoto shares insights into the conceptual development and challenges of the Grand Ring project, offering a glimpse into how architecture can shape collective experiences and future societies. He also presents some of his recent projects, explaining how his approach continues to evolve across different scales and contexts.

 

About the speaker

Sou Fujimoto was born in Hokkaido in 1971. Graduating from the Department of Architecture, Faculty of Engineering at Tokyo University, he established Sou Fujimoto Architects in 2000.

Among his recent renowned projects is the 1st prize for the 2014 International Competition for the Second Folly of Montpellier, France (‘L’Arbre Blanc’). Additionally in 2015, 2017 and 2018, he won several international competitions in various European countries. In Japan, he was selected as the Expo site design producer for the 2025 Japan International Exposition (Osaka/Kansai Expo). In 2024, he was selected for ‘Subcontract for the Basic Design of the International Center Station Northern Area Complex (Provisional Title)’ in Sendai, Miyagi.

His notable works include; House of Music (2021), MARUHON makiart terrace (Ishinomaki Cultural Center) (2021), SHIROIYA HOTEL (2020),L’Arbre Blanc (2019), Serpentine Gallery Pavilion 2013 (2013), House NA (2011), Musashino Art University Museum & Library (2010), House N (2008) and many more.