There is no cathedral, temple or institutional building in everything Japan that occupies more space than this Wood structure. It is so huge that it exceeds the size of many Olympic stadiums and, even so, it is constructed almost entirely with materials that are cut, assemble and raise without a single screw.
Since last April 13, the Grand Ring It stands as one of the most striking axes of the Expo 2025an event that will remain active until October in the Yumeshima Artificial Island.
A wooden feat that dominates the landscape of the expo
Although the exhibition has More than 160 participants Of the world, including Spain, a good part of the eyes have concentrated in this monumental piece, whose design allows you to travel the enclosure to the sun’s shelter, the wind and the rains. Its ring form is not accidental or aesthetics: it has been thought of as high catwalk And as an integrating space, a Meeting point visible from any point of the fair.
The construction process started in June 2023 and concluded in August of the following year. The structure rose with some 27,000 cubic meters of woodmainly composed of cedar sugi and Cyprés Hinoki, both originating from Japan, together with European wild pine.
According to Designboommetal reinforcements were incorporated to improve their seismic resistance, although the main technique remains faithful to the Japanese architectural tradition. The structure is inspired by the kiomizudera temple of Kyoto and applies the technique Nukian ancestral methodology that Avoid screws or nails through an assembly system that fits horizontal and vertical beams as pieces of a gigantic puzzle.
Its architectural relevance is already certified: in February of this year, Guinness World Records recognized it as the larger wood structure ever built. The figures accompany the visual impact. The ring measures 30 meters wide and reaches heights of up to 20 meters, depending on the point of the route. For those responsible for the project, the combination of local and foreign materials symbolizes the International collaboration spirit which characterizes this edition of the Expo.
A premiere marked by ambitious figures and some caution
The official inauguration was headed by the Japanese authorities and took place between debates on the total cost of the project – very above the initial forecasts – and a somewhat warm start in terms of influx of public.
Despite this, the organizers are confident in reaching 28 million visitorsincluding 3.5 million abroad. Regarding economic impact, estimates move between 12,270 and 17.6 billion euros.
Expo 2025 revolves around the motto Designing the society of the future for our livesa concept that is reflected in the three thematic areas that make up the enclosure: Connect lives, Save lives and Enhance lives. Under this philosophy, Grand Ring is not limited to being an architectural sample, but intends to become an example of how a construction can be integrated into its environment, respect tradition and provide contemporary solutions.
Tradition reinvents itself without losing its essence
The architect Sou Fujimotoresponsible for the design, the structure raised as a sample of coexistence between humanity and nature. In an interview with CNNFujimoto expressed his desire to keep part of the ring when the exhibition ends, arguing that “it is really wonderful and an example of how our society can live together with nature.”
If it were not possible to keep it in its current location – a municipal land occupied by a structure managed by the Japanese association For the Expo—, the architect raises Reuse wood in other future projects. As he himself expressed in that same conversation, “although the building disappears, the spirit of the materials will remain alive.”
With the construction of the Grand Ring, Japan once again demonstrates how architecture can combine functionality, beauty and sustainability without giving up its identity. In a fair that looks to the future, this gigantic wood structure makes even the most traditional seem a novelty.
#Japan #exceeds #limits #wood #Grand #Ring #Osaka #largest #structure #kind #world
