Blue Ocean Dome: A Dive into Marine Sustainability at the 2025 Osaka・Kansai World Expo

The World Expo 2025, set to take place in Osaka, Kansai, Japan from April 13 to October 13, will be a landmark event under the theme "Designing Future Society for Our Lives". This grand exposition aims to highlight innovative ideas and solutions that address global challenges, with a strong emphasis on sustainability, technology, and cultural exchange. Among the myriads of attractions, SARAYA is proud to support ZERI JAPAN's endeavor to create a networking hub at the Expo's Blue Ocean Dome.

The Blue Ocean Dome, located strategically at the West Gate of the Expo, is more than just an exhibition space; it is a dynamic platform designed to deepen global understanding of the oceans and highlight the urgent need to combat marine plastic pollution. This initiative by ZERI JAPAN aims to foster sustainable marine industries and raise awareness about the critical issue of ocean climate change. By rethinking the relationship between humans and their environment, the Dome seeks to awaken environmental morals and emphasize the ocean's role as a vital source of life on our water planet.

Three distinct sections or sub-domes come up together to form the Blue Ocean Dome, each constructed from different innovative materials and offering unique experiences and insights. Through our presence in Dome C, SARAYA’s participation in the World Expo 2025 underscores our commitment to environmental sustainability and marine conservation. By collaborating with ZERI JAPAN, we aim to inspire action and foster a global movement towards a more sustainable and resilient future for our oceans. Join us at the Blue Ocean Dome and be part of this transformative journey.

The Concept of the Blue Ocean Dome

Imagine experiencing water for the first time in your life. Such a fresh perspective could transform your view of Earth, bringing you to a realization that being a "water planet" is what makes it a source of life. The Blue Ocean Dome is set to display the beauty and critical importance of our oceans and freshwater, confronting challenges such as carbon dioxide fixation, conservation of marine resources, and the ubiquity of plastic pollution. This Pavilion is designed to reshape our understanding of the connections between "earth," "space," and "environment," sparking a profound environmental awakening and a commitment to conservation.

The mission of the Blue Ocean Dome is articulated through three main objectives:

• Combating Marine Plastic Pollution: To highlight and tackle the growing issue of plastics in our marine environments.
• Promoting Sustainable Marine Industries: To highlight and support innovations that lead to sustainable ocean-based industries.
• Increasing Awareness of Ocean Climate Change: To educate and inform about the impacts of climate change on marine life and oceanic conditions.

The Blue Ocean Dome aims to inspire a global audience at the Expo, fostering a movement towards a sustainable and resilient future for our oceans. Through innovative exhibits and interactive experiences, it seeks to transform public perception and drive meaningful change in marine conservation practices.

Themes, Structure, and Materials of the Pavilion

The Blue Ocean Dome at World Expo 2025 is a groundbreaking architectural marvel, featuring innovative materials and design elements that embody sustainability and forward-thinking construction techniques. The pavilion comprises three distinct domes, each utilizing different sustainable and recyclable materials and offering unique thematic experiences, which visitors will explore from A to C. 

While the structure of the building is led by Shigeru Ban, renowned architecture with buildings such as La Seine Musicale or the Swatch and Omega Campus, Kenya Hara, a leading designer famously known for being the art director of MUJI since 2001, oversees the interior design of the whole pavilion and the exhibitions at Dome A and B.

On the left, Shigeru Ban, Architectural Producer. On the right, Kenya Hara, General Producer.

The innovative design and materials of the Blue Ocean Dome not only exemplify advanced architectural practices but also underscore the importance of sustainability and environmental stewardship in construction. Through its unique structures and engaging themes, the pavilion aims to inspire visitors and promote a profound awareness of the vital role our oceans play in the health of our planet.

Dome A: Circulation

Dome A, with the theme “Circulation of Water”, explores the interconnectedness of ocean and land through the natural circulation of water and its impact on aquatic organisms. Visitors will experience the oceanic general circulation, including cold water sinks and rises, ocean currents driven by wind and heat, and the overall circulation of air. This immersive environment aims to educate and inspire awe through a sensory journey of water flows.

Dome A is made of bamboo, which grows quickly and can be used as a carbon sink. It has been used as a structural material in Japan for a long time but is not yet fully recognized as a structural material in other developed countries. The bamboo itself is strong, but its diameter and thickness vary, making structural calculations impossible, while prolonged direct sunlight exposure may turn it fragile. The Blue Ocean Dome uses instead laminated bamboo pillars as a structural material, which is more stable and stronger than wood, while becoming a solution to the problem of neglected bamboo forests in Japan.

Dome B: The Ocean

Dome B’s theme centers on “Reclaiming the Ocean.” Oceans are currently undergoing drastic changes and losing their sustainability due to global warming, overfishing, and plastic marine pollution. To understand the ocean and preserve it sustainably for future generations, Dome B “Ocean” will provide an unforgettable experience as an opportunity for a major shift in perception through powerful visuals on the hemispherical, oversized screen.

Dome B is made with Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic (CFRP), a material typically used in aerospace and automotive industries due to carbon fiber being one-tenth the weight of steel but four times stronger. Due to its high price, it is used in products such as airplanes and cars where weight reduction is economically viable, in contrast with the weak demand in the construction field where it is only used occasionally as a reinforcing material. The Blue Ocean Dome is the first building in the world to use CFRP as a structural material, eliminating the need for pillars and allowing a more open space. We are confident that the Blue Ocean Dome will become a legacy for the Expo 2025 Osaka・Kansai, an example of advanced architecture.

Dome C: The Wisdom

Dome C, The Wisdom of Humanity, will serve as a nexus for participating organizations and companies from around the world to present a variety of initiatives leading to the Blue Ocean, with exhibits changing regularly. Dome C aims to become a networking hub that gathers wisdom and develops a Blue Ocean Movement. It will provide a platform for companies and organizations to transmit and receive information, promote their initiatives, and appeal to the Expo’s global audience.

For example, we already have planned events centered on innovation for marine conservation, children's education on the importance of oceans, and global efforts to fight climate change.

Structure-wise, Dome C is a paper pavilion built in an array-like atomic structure using paper tubes, developed from recycled materials by the co-sponsor company, Rengo Co., Ltd.

Exhibitions and events of various organizations and sponsors will be held here, functioning as a networking center that can transmit and receive information from Dome C to the outside world, gathering wisdom and developing the Blue Ocean Movement.

Virtual Pavilion

In addition to the physical pavilions, the World Expo 2025 will feature a Virtual Expo, allowing global visitors to explore “Yumeshima Island”, including the Blue Ocean Dome, digitally. This virtual experience will expand the reach of the Expo, providing access to the Dome’s educational and immersive content to a global audience.

Screenshots of an early draft of the Blue Ocean Virtual Pavilion.

The Blue Ocean Dome’s virtual pavilion will offer you an interactive way to explore the ocean, revealing not only the harsh realities of ocean pollution but also the inspiring efforts of organizations and companies collaborating with the Blue Ocean Initiative. With your own virtual avatar, you will swim through stories and videos showcasing global efforts to restore and protect our seas—efforts we hope you’ll be inspired to join in the future.

Join the Blue Ocean Movement

Through its unique design and thematic experiences, the Blue Ocean Dome aims to deepen our understanding of the oceans, highlight the urgent need for marine conservation, and foster sustainable practices that can shape a better future for our planet.

As you explore the interconnectedness of water in Dome A, the challenges for our oceans in Dome B, and the collaborative efforts in Dome C, we hope you leave with a renewed sense of responsibility and inspiration. The Blue Ocean Dome is not just an exhibition; it is a call to action for each of us to contribute to the health and sustainability of our oceans.

We invite you to join us in this vital mission. Whether you visit in person or explore the virtual pavilion, your engagement and support are crucial. Together, we can make a difference. Let us unite to protect our oceans, foster sustainable practices, and ensure a thriving planet for generations to come.

Together, we can create waves of change. Let us dive into a sustainable future and make a lasting impact on our world’s most precious resource—our oceans.

• For more Blue Ocean Dome information visit the official page at BLUE OCEAN DOME.
• Looking to collaborate or exhibit? Contact ZERI JAPAN at Inquiry | BLUE OCEAN DOME.

*Draft images showcased in this article may differ from the final exhibition.