Takenaka Corporation has completed the structure of “Forest-Forming Architecture,” a temporary building to be featured at the 2025 Osaka, Kansai Expo. Recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s largest 3D-printed biodegradable structure, this project represents the architecture of the future and marks a significant step toward a sustainable society.
Guinness World Record Holder “Forest-Forming Architecture”: A Proposal to Nurture the Future
“Forest-Forming Architecture,” developed by Takenaka Corporation, is a temporary building set to be installed at the “Earth Plaza” of the Osaka, Kansai Expo site. Constructed using advanced 3D printing technology with biodegradable resin, it achieved Guinness World Record recognition on October 25 as the largest structure of its kind. The two structures, each measuring 4.65 meters in diameter and 2.95 meters in height, will serve as rest areas for visitors during the Expo.
What sets this project apart is its goal of nurturing future forests rather than creating disposable structures. Designed to naturally decompose after use, the materials of the building contribute to forming the next generation’s environment. Inspired by the award-winning concept “Seeds Paper Pavilion,” which won the top prize in an internal competition in 2020, Takenaka Corporation advanced its technical development through extensive trials with large-scale 3D printers. By April this year, full-scale output testing was successfully completed, and construction began at the Expo site in August.
The “Forest-Forming Architecture” also showcases a unique blend of advanced technology and traditional craftsmanship. Its exterior features include handmade Japanese paper and “Seeds Paper,” infused with plant seeds, adding a human touch to cutting-edge innovation. With ongoing exterior and greening work, the project is on track for completion by April 2025, coinciding with the Expo’s opening.
This project embodies Takenaka Corporation’s vision of architecture as “seeds” for future forests, departing entirely from the conventional notion of buildings as waste after use. “Forest-forming architecture” represents new possibilities in construction technology, providing a model for sustainable and innovative architecture.
(Note: Current design subject to change as further technical developments are made.)