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At the Osaka, Japan, 2025 World Expo, visitors were treated to an interactive sauna that was part of a number of experiential attractions designed to engage and inspire visitors to connect with Earth. One of the expo’s core concepts was “SynaeEARTH: Connect With the Earth; Connect With the Future.”
Composed of 10 inflated cushions made of ETFE film and each cushion approximately 8 meters high and 2 meters wide (26.25 feet by 6.56 feet), the sauna portion of the exhibit was a tightly bundled ensemble that retained heat and humidity while being translucent. Another bundle of 10 cushions of the same dimensions, but more openly spaced to allow cross ventilation, formed a water bath setting.
Both the tightly enclosed sauna and the looser water bath ETFE forms hug the ground but are open to the sky. Thus the total experience connects “a new kind of value by combining wellness, architecture and material innovation.” The cushions have a light transmission rate of 90% that gently diffuses natural light while maintaining privacy. As day transitions to night, the interior of these structures transforms into a meditative, immersive venue.
Visitors to Expo 2025 described this sauna (Taiyo Tsubomi in Japanese) as one of the most memorable and futuristic experiences at the event.
Project data
Architect: KOMPAS
Engineering, Fabrication and Installation: Taiyo Kogyo Corp.
Fabric: Fluon ETFE 250 HJ by AGC Inc.