Grand Ring

“World exhibitions concentrate the best of each participating country in one place, where they then coexist for a period of six months. This method of showcasing is, in my opinion, very important, especially in today's global crisis situation.”
The Great Circle, designed by Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto, is a symbol embodying the philosophy of this year's Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan, with the main motto “Unity in Diversity.” The layout of the site represents key elements that the inhabitants of the Earth should protect together. It focuses on universal values closely linked to nature and the concepts of previous world exhibitions held in Japan. Upon completion, the Great Circle represented the largest wooden structure in the world (the object was recorded in the Guinness World Records) covering an area of approximately 61,035 m², with a height of 12 m (the outer edge of the roof at 20 m) and an internal diameter of approximately 615 m. The columns under the roof serve as a promenade, a main traffic artery, and also a friendly place to relax, protecting visitors from rain, wind, and direct sunlight. From the rooftop promenade (2025 m long), visitors can easily view the entire area and enjoy the artificially created Yumeshima, surrounded by sea on all sides. Access to the roof, adorned with vegetation, is facilitated by five escalators and six elevators, in addition to the staircases.
To connect the wooden elements, the Nuki technique was used, which is one of the simplest carpentry joints involving one element penetrating (embedding) through another (wooden beams into columns). This principle is mostly found in historical buildings (Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples).
Approximately 70% of the wood used in the Great Circle consists of local Japanese Cryptomeria (Cryptomeria japonica) and Hinoki cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa). The remaining 30% consists of imported Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris).
Originally, it was planned that after the end of Expo 2025, the Great Circle would be dismantled and its parts reused as construction material. Currently, there is consideration to leave the 200 m northern and 600 m southern segment as a memorial to the entire event. The remaining wooden elements will be used to rebuild homes in the Japanese city of Suzu, which were damaged by the Noto earthquake in January 2024.