INSIDE HEROES
Behind the exhibition lies a wealth of passion, dedication, and individual stories.
Here, we share the voices of the people who bring the Themed Pavilion to life.
Design Director, Kengo Kuma & Associates
Kai Araki
An Invitation into an Unknown Space
In the Themed Pavilion, we are challenging ourselves to create a timber space of extraordinary scale using CLT (Cross-Laminated Timber), an innovative and environmentally conscious material.
At the heart of the design lies the “survival strategy” of plants. The architecture was conceived in dialogue with the landscape and climate of Kamiseya itself.
Visitors are invited to move through the space as though entering a great tree, becoming immersed in the richness of nature along the way.
What awaits here is an experience unlike any other.
Design Director, Kengo Kuma & Associates
Kai Araki joined Kengo Kuma & Associates in 2012 and has since been involved in the design of a wide range of public architecture and pavilions in Japan and abroad.
For the International Horticultural Expo 2027 (Yokohama), he serves as Design Supervisor of the Themed Pavilion.
Listening closely to the underlying principles of nature, he is dedicated to creating spaces that harmonize with their environment and offer a sense of quiet comfort.
