Saudi pavilion at Osaka Expo wins architectural design award

The Saudi Arabia pavilion is pictured during a media preview day for the 2025 Osaka Expo in the city of Osaka on April 9, 2025, four days before the event opens to the public for six months. (Photo by Richard A. Brooks/AFP)
Short Url
Updated 27 May 2025
Follow

Saudi pavilion at Osaka Expo wins architectural design award

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai has won gold in the Cultural Architecture — Interactive and Experiential Spaces category of the New York Architectural Design Awards.

The pavilion, which offers visitors an immersive experience and insight into the Kingdom’s heritage, was spearheaded by the Saudi Architecture and Design Commission and led by CEO Dr. Sumayah Al-Solaiman and project manager Fatima Al-Doukhi. Also involved in the design were the renowned Foster + Partners.

The design highlights the cultural similarities between Saudi Arabia and Japan while focusing on sustainability, employing passive cooling strategies enhanced by strategically placed blocks to facilitate air flow.

The pavilion features low-carbon materials, energy-efficient lighting and solar energy technologies. It also includes Braille signage and pathways for visitors with disabilities, making the building accessible for all.

Saudi Arabia’s pavilion has already attracted over half a million visitors since its launch on April 13.

It has also hosted over 175 events, including cultural performances, business events, media and over 400 VIP delegations.


Crown prince speaks with regional, global leaders about Iranian aggression

Updated 47 min 16 sec ago
Follow

Crown prince speaks with regional, global leaders about Iranian aggression

  • Calls came as several Gulf Arab states were targeted by Iranian ​missiles
  • Also spoke with French president, Pakistani prime minister

RIYADH: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke to several regional leaders on the phone on Saturday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The calls came as several Gulf Arab states were targeted by Iranian ​missiles after Tehran pledged to retaliate against strikes by the US and Israel that hit several cities in Iran in the early hours of Saturday.

The crown prince spoke with UAE president Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa, Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, and King Abdullah II of Jordan.

The crown prince affirmed the Kingdom’s full solidarity with, and support for, their nations and stressed “Saudi Arabia’s readiness to mobilize all its resources to assist them in responding to the brutal Iranian attacks they suffered, which undermine the region’s security and stability,” the SPA added.

He also received a call from Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, SPA reported.

They reviewed the impact of the ongoing escalation, with the Egyptian leader affirming Egypt’s solidarity with the Kingdom and backing for the steps it has taken to defend its sovereignty and maintain regional stability.

Prince Mohammed also received a call from French President Emmanuel Macron, during which he reiterated Saudi Arabia’s condemnation of the Iranian rocket attacks targeting the Kingdom and neighboring states, affirming that all necessary measures are being taken to defend its territory and support sisterly countries in safeguarding their sovereignty and security.

In a separate call, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed his country’s solidarity with Saudi Arabia and support for the measures it is taking to protect its sovereignty, security and stability in response to the Iranian attacks, SPA added.