Lina Ghotmeh’s Bahrain Pavilion named best at Expo 2025 Osaka

The Bahrain Pavilion has been awarded the Gold Award for Best Architecture and Landscape at Expo 2025 Osaka. Named ‘Connecting Seas,’ the pavilion was designed by Lebanese-born French architect Lina Ghotmeh.

Archinect published photographs of the pavilion back in May, almost one year after the initial release of the pavilion’s design. The wooden pavilion is formed of 3,000 individual pieces, designed to reflect the form of the traditional dhow ship. 

According to Ghotmeh, the 10,700-square-foot structure is a testament to “sustainable innovation.” The pavilion is naturally cooled by the sea breeze, while staff and volunteers attending to the pavilion during the event wore uniforms inspired by coastal motifs designed by Bahraini fashion designer Lulwa Al Ameen.

Internally, the pavilion is arranged across four levels. Among the spaces are galleries to host artist commissions, a café, and spaces for activities that respond to the expo’s umbrella theme, 'Designing Future Society for Our Lives.'

Expo 2025 Osaka closed on October 13th. You can learn more about the event by reviewing our coverage of the expo here.