The Kingdom of Bahrain Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka titled “Connecting Seas” designed by Lina Ghotmeh – Architecture won the Gold Award for Best Architecture and Landscape in the Self-Build Pavilion Category Under 1,500 Square Meters. The prize, awarded by the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), recognizes architectural excellence in the areas of interior design, creativity and sustainability. The announcement was made at an official awards ceremony in Osaka, Japan, attended by commissioners general and representatives from participating nations. Commissioned by the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA), this is the country's fourth participation in a world exhibition and reflects the ongoing commitment to expressing national identity through architecture and cultural dialogue.
Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, President of the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA) and Commissioner General of the Bahrain Pavilion, expressed his pride at the award and highlighted Team Bahrain's collective effort to bring the Kingdom's vision to life. “This recognition reflects Bahrain’s role as a creative center for architecture and culture in the region,” he said. “The pavilion is a testament to sustainable design and provides an immersive visitor experience that immerses audiences in Bahrain’s rich history and cultural depth.”
Led by Lebanese-French architect Lina Ghotmeh, the design draws on Bahrain's maritime heritage and references the traditional Dhow Boats that once shaped the country's shipbuilding industry. Constructed primarily of wood and an aluminum exterior, the pavilion reinterprets historic boatbuilding techniques in a contemporary architectural language. The structure is designed to be dismantled and recyclable and incorporates sustainable strategies such as passive ventilation and natural cooling from sea breezes, minimizing the need for mechanical systems. Located in the Empowering Lives zone, the pavilion occupies an area of 995 square meters and rises to 13.7 meters on four levels overlooking the sea, establishing a direct relationship between its form, materiality and the coastal context.
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The indoor exhibition, developed in collaboration with Shepherd Studio and under the artistic direction of Ghotmeh, offers a multi-sensory experience and explores Bahrain's historic role as a maritime hub in the Gulf. Themes of connectivity are explored through contributions from artists and researchers including Sissel Tolaas, Hassan Hujairi and La Méduse, exploring trade, crafts, pearling and ecological narratives.
The exhibition at Expo 2025 Osaka had the central theme “Designing Future Society for Our Lives”. As the event concludes on October 13, 2025, the global showcase has brought together a variety of national pavilions, each reflecting their respective country's innovative visions. Renowned architectural firms have contributed to this dialogue, including Coledfy and CRA-Carlo Ratti Associati, who designed the France pavilion, Trahan Architects with the USA pavilion, Kengo Kuma & Associates for the Portugal pavilion, Atelier Brückner for the Uzbekistan pavilion and Foster + Partners, who designed the Design by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia led Arabia Pavilion, among many others.
We invite you to check out ArchDaily's comprehensive coverage of Expo Osaka 2025.