The Egyptian Pavilion Wins the Architectural Heritage Preservation Award at Expo Osaka

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A Fusion of History and Contemporary Vision

The Egyptian Pavilion at Expo Osaka captures the essence of Egypt’s architectural heritage while presenting a forward-looking vision that bridges past and present. The structure embodies a dialogue between ancient monumental architecture and modern environmental design, creating a timeless architectural language rooted in the values of sustainability and identity.

Exterior view of Bahrain Pavilion at Expo Osaka 2025 designed by Lina Ghotmeh, showcasing wooden façade and natural ventilation concept.
The Bahrain Pavilion at Expo Osaka 2025, designed by Lina Ghotmeh, integrates natural cooling strategies within its sculpted wooden façade.

A Design Inspired by Ancient Craftsmanship

The pavilion’s form is influenced by the geometry of temples and tombs, with facades shaped by linear shadows and subtle reliefs that recall stone carving traditions. The materialsmainly locally inspired textures resembling limestone and sandstone give the building a tactile authenticity that resonates with Egypt’s desert landscape.

Aerial perspective of Bahrain Pavilion highlighting its layered wooden roof and open-air terraces
The pavilion’s layered structure allows natural airflow and connects visitors to the surrounding seascape.

Light, Shadow, and Spatial Depth

Inside, natural light filters through controlled openings, producing rhythmic transitions of brightness and shade that guide visitors through an immersive spatial experience. This interplay of light and geometry enhances the pavilion’s symbolic representation of knowledge, rebirth, and continuity concepts deeply rooted in Egyptian architecture.

Interior view of Bahrain Pavilion showing the interplay of light and shadow through wooden lattice walls.
Inside the pavilion, filtered sunlight and rhythmic shadows create a sensory spatial journey inspired by the sea’s movement.

A Sustainable Architectural Statement

Beyond symbolism, the design embraces passive cooling systems, natural ventilation, and renewable materials, ensuring thermal comfort while minimizing energy consumption. The pavilion stands as a model of eco-conscious architecture that respects both environmental limits and cultural legacy.

Structural detail of Bahrain Pavilion inspired by the anatomy of traditional dhow boats
The design draws from Bahrain’s maritime heritage, reinterpreting the wooden dhow’s anatomy into a modern sustainable form.

Architecture as Cultural Memory

The Egyptian Pavilion does more than exhibit artifacts; it reinterprets architectural memory in a contemporary framework. Through its proportions, textures, and movement, it becomes a living narrative of Egypt’s enduring relationship with form, place, and meaning.

✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight


This article explores the Bahrain Pavilion, winner of the Architectural Heritage Preservation award at Expo Osaka. The project blends cultural memory with modern experimentation. Inspired by traditional dhow craftsmanship, it combines precise wooden structures with luminous interiors. These elements reinterpret the rhythm of material and shadow. The spatial language shows strong artisanal depth, yet the experience feels more symbolic than interactive. Still, the project redefines Bahrain’s architectural identity through a sustainable lens. It presents authenticity as a living, climate-conscious design value rather than nostalgia.

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