As Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai opens its doors, Trivandi proudly celebrates its two-year collaboration with the UAE Expo Office to bring the UAE Pavilion to life.
Working in partnership with the UAE Expo Office, Trivandi has served as a trusted partner in overseeing a successful delivery programme, from enabling seamless operations to project managing the pavilion’s construction and delivery, including supporting the Earth to Ether Design Collective which is led by the UAE Expo Office - an interdisciplinary group of Emirati, Japanese, and international creative partners. We’ve applied our ‘One Team’ approach to guide the project from a concept on the drawing board to a reality on the ground in Osaka.
The UAE Pavilion: Earth to Ether
Located in the Empowering Lives Zone of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, the UAE Pavilion presents "Earth to Ether" – an immersive multisensory journey through the UAE’s story. The pavilion's striking design features an oasis of 90 rachis columns that integrates agricultural date palm waste with masterful Japanese woodworking expertise. Soaring up to 16 meters, these columns anchor a structure that reinterprets areesh- traditional Emirati vernacular architecture through innovative material exploration.
Through this beautifully designed space, visitors experience a journey that highlights the UAE's values, cultural heritage, and pioneering innovations. The pavilion invites guests to discover how the UAE is building a flourishing future for all life – from Earth to ether.
"We worked incredibly hard alongside the UAE Expo Office and the wider design collective to fuse tradition, innovation, and authentic storytelling into the technical design of the pavilion," notesJames Owen Webster, Associate Design Director at Trivandi."As design guardians, by working hand-in-glove with the exhibition designers, caterers, operators, and ultimately fabricators, we were able to provide technical assurance across the overall guest experience so that every touchpoint translates the vision of the UAE Expo Office."
Building the Vision
Trivandi supported the UAE Expo Office’s creative vision for the pavilion, ensuring its story and unique character remained intact throughout operational development.
This approach required carefully balancing creative elements with practical solutions. We integrated specialists across strategy, design, project management, and operations, synchronising perspectives from all lenses for better informed and implementable solutions.
"From a design perspective, we supported the UAE Expo Office to ensure the creative vision was maintained throughout development," notesMarcus Carling, Director of Venue Development at Trivandi. "We focused on making sure everything in the design could actually be built and would work well for visitors and staff, while keeping the unforgettable experience the UAE wanted to create."
Bringing Plans to Life
Trivandi took on project management responsibilities as the client representative, ensuring contracts were properly managed, the project remained on schedule, and all work met the UAE's high standards. The team navigated the complex process of securing necessary approvals and permits, overseeing safety measures, and coordinating suppliers and contractors.
"For over two years we've been helping the UAE Expo Office shape how the pavilion would work practically and then planning all the operations to make it come to life," explainsJames Tibbetts, Executive Director of Operations and Delivery at Trivandi. "We created all the plans for daily operations, quality standards, and staffing needs to make sure the pavilion runs smoothly."
Creating the Visitor Journey
A complete operations blueprint was developed for the pavilion, creating detailed plans for day-to-day functioning. These plans covered every aspect of the pavilion experience, from visitor flow through the space to staff procedures for handling different situations. Trivandi's expertise ensured that every operational detail was considered, allowing for a seamless experience from the moment the pavilion opened its doors.
Using Trivandi’s extensive Associate Network, we brought in the right specialist contractors to create a complete operational team. Our planning ensured visitors would have a smooth, enjoyable experience.
On the Ground in Osaka
Today, Trivandi has a team in Osaka supporting the pavilion's daily operations. The team helps manage morning preparations, evening closing, VIP visits, special events, and oversees the pavilion's retail shop and restaurant serving authentic Emirati cuisine.
A key part of our responsibility is empowering the UAE Pavilion’s Youth Ambassadors to represent the UAE on a global platform for progress. These ambassadors play an essential role in bringing the UAE's story to life for the millions of visitors expected throughout Expo 2025.
Trivandi at Expo 2025
Beyond the UAE Pavilion, Trivandi serves as Operational Delivery Partner for the USA Pavilion and is leading the operational management for the Australia Pavilion with Global Hospitality Group. This triple presence underscores Trivandi's leadership in major event delivery and operations.
Stay tuned for more updates on our social media channels sharing insights from our Expo 2025 journey.