In 1970, the World EXPO was held in Osaka. This was the first world fair held in Japan and the most successful ever until Shanghai 2010. Kenzo Tange designed its master plan, and 12 other Japanese architects built projects within the total site of 330ha. After 1972, the site of the Osaka Expo became the “Expo Commemoration Park” and was managed both by the State and the Osaka Prefecture. All pavilions and historically important architectural monuments were demolished except some memorial buildings and monuments. Currently, the area contains a nature park of 985,000m2 with 600,000 trees. However, a new park needs new architectural intervention to enhance surrounding urban development. New Expo Park, which I am proposing, will be re-vitalized to approximate the original function of the 1970 EXPO. ‘Fairground’ event space will bring new prosperity to the park.

Phase & Business Plan
The project is phased so the park first benefits the local users and gradually forms a synergy with other recreational programs to attract global visitors. This is done by connecting existing fragments of public spaces and amenities surrounding the Expo Park with pedestrian bridges. The proposed main bridge between the northern Expo Park and the southern site consolidates two large bodies of land, creating a monumental public space that could accommodate large-scale events and spectacles that could draw in local and international visitors.
These architectural interventions create leasable event spaces and residential units from which OIM can generate revenue. The master plan will also remain sensitive to the needs of local communities, preserving the character of the existing park while increasing small-scale amenities that could be used daily by the residents.

Master Plan
The key concept of our master plan is to revitalize the existing Expo Park to serve both local and global visitors. The Fairground with the pavilion cluster is the main architectural intervention. The Fairground frames the Sun Tower as a historic symbol of the area and holds diverse events in terms of scale and programs. The twisted circulation maximizes the function of Fairground and guides the concentration of visitors and events through the Fairground.

Constellation (Pavilion Cluster)
Pavilions are formed into clusters named ‘Constellation.’ The cluster can grow and disperse by reproduction of pavilions. There are two way of reproduction; 4-unit aggregation and 3-unit aggregation. The porosity in the clusters creates various spatial qualities; shaded space and enclosed space. A pavilion also creates unique lighting effects because of the varying depths of the roof. According to the spatial quality, diverse events can be set up at the pavilion cluster.

A pavilion is made of recycled timbers of 120x120mm. The timbers are joined by the pre-stressed cables. Two types of pins prevent vertical shear; a plane type for horizontal connection and a 3-dimensional type for cross joinery. Moreover, the pavilion is pre-fabricated at the factory and the nine pre-fabricated parts are assembled at the site.