Weapons between people and countries — beyond the swords and guns — take various forms, one of them being: architecture

The ability to build has been a form that distinguished civilizations throughout history. Techniques and forms that defy the strength of a single person force us to stand in awe and ask: Who made this?

After the who comes the how, but tucked beneath the how and the who is often a matter that is fueled with purpose: why.

Expo Osaka’s master plan features a grand ring with a circular outline. What is it with the circle in East Asia?
The circle — resembling water in its essence — flows without taking strict angles, unlike the square or the triangle. Staring at it projects that feeling of flow where an end isn’t met. The circle might be the shape of peace and harmony — harmony being an essential pillar of Japanese society.

"I think the Grand Ring looks pretty amazing. It’s not just a cool design — it actually feels meaningful. The circular shape kind of gives off this sense of unity and connection, which fits perfectly with the whole idea of coming together to think about the future. It feels like one of those places you’d want to take your time in, not rush through. There’s something calm but exciting about it, like a mix of nature and futuristic ideas all in one space. Definitely makes me want to be there and see how it all comes together," said Nur Zuleisha, a fourth-year Malaysian student at Tokyo International University.

The ensō circle, a sacred symbol in Zen Buddhism, represents unity, the universe, and the beauty of imperfection — capturing a moment of presence through a single, unbroken —yet broken— brushstroke.

World expos lay out a strong reason for countries around the world to show what they've got. How will their country be represented, and how will they choose to make it perceived?

The power of competition brings out the best in everyone, and dispute suddenly becomes constructive — literally and figuratively.

A building in a world exposition dresses a structure in the cloth of identity that speaks a thousand words with one image — a 3D form that makes people wonder.

The power of architecture in showcasing identity is astounding, something that is underestimated in a fast world that prioritizes fast food, fast medicine, and fast architecture to serve fast cities.

Grand Ring Expo 2025 Osaka

Laura Franciosi, the Pavilion Director of the San Marino Pavilion at Expo Osaka 2025, engaged with ADF, noting that the quote 'Now we are in the mountains, and the mountains are in us' inspired the students of the Design Department at the University of the Republic of San Marino to conceive and design the National Pavilion for Expo 2025 in Osaka.

"The project concept derives from the unique morphology of the territory of the Republic of San Marino," said Franciosi, "characterized by a series of hills and peaks that culminate in the central part of the small state with Mount Titano, the main mountain formation of the region, which offers spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding countries. The goal of the project is to immerse visitors in the beauty of this landscape and to provide a physical and unique immersive experience through the senses of hearing, sight, and touch."

"Entering the pavilion," Franciosi added, "will be like stepping inside Mount Titano: visitors will be able to touch its surfaces, listen to its sounds, and observe its founding features. The surfaces and curved lines will tell the story of its geological formation, and through the niches, it will be possible to touch the real founding stone of the State of San Marino. Visitors will be able to hear its sounds and the voices of its citizens, while catching glimpses of everyday life.”

Franciosi further explained that the motto of the Pavilion’s communication is "Expanding Horizons," and that broadening one’s horizons is a natural inclination of human beings, inherently curious about life.

"The human drive for knowledge serves as the tool through which limits can be overcome — this is what it means to expand one’s horizons. Learning means evolving, understanding oneself and the world; the ascent of a mountain widens the boundaries of vision; observing things from above enriches perspective, refining one’s view. The morphology of the territory and the society of this country are continuously evolving and adapting to change: this factor was so relevant that it became the main inspiration for the Pavilion of the Republic of San Marino," said Franciosi.

"In the Baltic States, our bond with nature is fundamental," said Arthur Analts, lead designer of The Baltic Pavilion. "Rather than letting technology overpower the space, we designed a dialogue between the two—always keeping people at the center: their experience, their well-being, and their connection to the environment. Through natural materials and interactive elements, we invite reflection and a digital detox. For us, standing out doesn’t mean excess—it means creating a meaningful, culturally rooted experience that feels both modern and deeply familiar."

The Baltic Pavilion - Photos: Vents Āboltiņš

Madina Baigelova, a graphic and web designer, and a Nagoya-based expat from Kazakhstan thinks that Expo Osaka holds a big answer to the latest question that’s been bothering people around the world: what future do we actually want to live in?

“Sure, there’ll be robots, AI, and flashy displays,” said Baigelova, “but the real value might lie in the quiet moments — the unexpected ideas, the cross-cultural conversations, the chance to rethink progress itself. Yes, the logistics have been messy, and the budget’s ballooning, but maybe that’s part of the point. The future is complicated. If the Expo can embrace that messiness and still move the conversation forward, then it’s already a success in a way most expos never manage."

ress Conference on the Occasion of Austria's Participation in the Expo 2025 Osaka

"I had the opportunity to visit Expo 2005 in Aichi when I was a child," said Tokyo-based influencer Ramune. "At the time, it felt like I was getting closer to distant, unfamiliar countries, and I was truly fascinated by everything I saw. Although today we can access information about the world through our smartphones, there are certain experiences and emotions that can only be felt by being there in person. That’s why I genuinely hope children will have the chance to visit Expo 2025 in Osaka — to see, feel, and connect with the world in a way that digital media alone can't provide."

Ultimately, architecture is not merely about shelter or spectacle — it is a crystallisation of our ideals, a quiet testament to what we believe life should be. At Expo 2025, the circular form of the Grand Ring transcends geometry; it offers a gentle metaphor for unity — a space where nations gather not to compete, but to converse. In its curved embrace, we are reminded that progress need not be linear, nor loud. Like all truly meaningful design, it invites reflection rather than reaction, drawing us — without urgency — toward a future shaped less by dominance, and more by empathy, nuance, and shared purpose.

The architecture at Expo Osaka 2025 becomes more than structure — it becomes soul.