2024-10-28 11:44:00
In less than six months, the world exhibition EXPO 2025 will open its doors in Osaka, Japan, where Austria will present its diversity and performance in business, science, research and culture to a global audience under the motto “Composing the Future”. The eye-catcher of the Austrian pavilion, a 16.5 meter high, spiral-shaped musical band made of wood, was manufactured in Lower Austria with a unique geometry and an innovative, CO2-minimized design. The curved wooden sculpture has now been presented to the public and will soon be transported to Japan.
Have a good trip: from Lower Austria to Japan
After a year of planning and around three months of production, the components for the distinctive musical band on the facade of the Austria Pavilion are ready for next year’s EXPO. It now goes first by road and then by sea from Horn to Osaka. spoke on this occasion Federal Minister Martin Kocher, Lower Austria’s Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner, WKÖ Vice President Philipp Gady and the Japanese Ambassador to Austria HE Ryuta Mizuuchi as part of a press conference in the production halls of the Graf-Holztechnik company, which was commissioned to build the music band.
Great importance for Austria’s economy
The appeal of the pavilion and Austria’s appearance at the EXPO in Japan are of enormous importance for Austria’s economy, explained Federal Minister Martin Kocher: “Japan is Austria’s second most important market in Asia, the trading volume for 2023 is 4.6 billion euros. There are great opportunities for Austrian companies on the Japanese market around the EXPO and long beyond. Japan is a driver of innovation. We therefore want to strengthen the long-term cooperation in research & development, technology and innovation between Japan and Austria, from which Austria’s export companies will also benefit.”
The music band construction is the ideal example of how local companies and the regional economy itself can become part of the world exhibition. The Lower Austrian Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner emphasizes: “Exports are the engine of our prosperity, which is why I am pleased that Lower Austria will be so prominently represented at the EXPO. The unique music ribbon at the Austria pavilion at EXPO 2025 in Osaka is an example of the outstanding manufacturing excellence of Lower Austrian companies. With this ribbon, the export, craft, industrial and cultural region of Lower Austria will attract attention worldwide: We assume that around 2.1 million visitors will visit the Austria Pavilion and with it the music ribbon made in Lower Austria will be amazed. I am therefore convinced that EXPO 2025 will give Lower Austria’s trade relations with Japan a further boost.”
The EXPO is an important door opener that goes far beyond the great opportunities for Austria in Japanese growth markets. WKÖ Vice President Philipp Gady explains: “Austria’s companies play a key role in shaping our future with their know-how and innovative strength. Whether in the area of green tech, life sciences or digitalization – with its guiding theme ‘Designing Future Society for Our Lives’, EXPO 2025 offers a global stage on which Austrian companies can impressively present their innovative strength and future orientation and position themselves internationally. We are already seizing these opportunities: Numerous events will take place between now and the opening of the EXPO to set the course for success for our companies.”
As part of the preparation for the EXPO, the long-standing Austrian-Japanese relationship was further intensified through joint projects and events. The Japanese ambassador Ryuta Mizuuchi emphasizes: “At the Vienna World Exhibition in 1873, it was the Shachihoko from Japan – the gigantic golden mythical fish – that caused a sensation in Austria. May the ribbon achieve revenge, 152 years later in Japan.”
Unique wood construction technology
The wooden sculpture shows the first bars of the “Ode to Joy” and stands as a symbol of dynamism, elegance and innovation. Because it combines traditional wooden construction architecture with the most modern engineering skills. For the construction technique of the sculpture draws Johann Moser from BWM Designers & Architects, the architect of the Austria Pavilion, together with Peter Bauer from the engineering office for structural planning, werkraum engineers (statics), responsible.
The construction follows a geodesic band construction. Geodesics are those lines on a curved surface along which strips – such as wooden slats in this case – can be bent without resistance. This property is used to achieve the spiral shape with little effort and without complex 3D milling. This means that complex supporting structures can be designed with ease. The special feature of the construction is that it follows the principle of “screwing instead of gluing”. This not only enables CO2 reduction in construction, but also means that the individual components of the spiral can be dismantled and reassembled. The combination of these two properties is so far unique and makes a significant contribution to the reusability of wooden structures.
Transnational cooperation
The Graf-Holztechnik company was responsible for implementing the project Roland Ernst commissioned. Since August of this year, a total of twelve prefabricated band elements have been created in the woodworks halls in Horn. These are now being packed and with the support of the Austrian logistics company cargo-partner under the responsibility of the CEO Martin Schenzel transported to Japan by sea. The Japanese construction company Shinohara is responsible for the final construction of the wooden spiral on the Expo site. In addition to the local spruce wood used for the construction, the wooden spiral for the EXPO was also the first transnational overall project to be awarded the PEFC certificate for sustainable forest management and wood processing. Wood and wood products with the PEFC seal come from ecologically, economically and socially sustainable forestry.
Austria at Expo 2025 – www.expoaustria.at
The next world exhibition “Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan” will take place from April 13 to October 13, 2025 with the general theme “Designing Future Society for Our Lives”. Around 160 countries and 9 international organizations will take part. The idea and architectural design of the Austria pavilion “Composing the Future” came from BWM Designers & Architects. The concept of the exhibition develops facts and fiction. The Austrian contribution sees itself as a platform for dialogue and presents the diversity and performance of the economy and society. The Federal Ministry of Labor and Economic Affairs bears 75% of the total costs, the Austrian Economic Chamber bears the remaining 25%. (PWK388/EL)
Images/renderings for download can be found at www.expoaustria.at/de/presse/ and in our APA photo gallery at: www.apa-fotoservice.at/galerie/38519
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**Interview with Federal Minister Martin Kocher on Austria’s Participation in Expo 2025**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Minister Kocher. With Expo 2025 just around the corner, can you share what makes Austria’s participation especially significant this time?
**Federal Minister Martin Kocher:** Absolutely. Our motto, “Composing the Future,” reflects Austria’s commitment to innovation across various sectors, including business, science, and culture. Expo 2025 offers us a unique platform to showcase not only our achievements but also our potential for future collaboration, particularly with Japan, a key market for us in Asia.
**Editor:** The Austrian pavilion features an impressive wooden sculpture. Can you tell us more about it?
**Kocher:** The sculpture, which stands 16.5 meters high and is designed in a spiral shape, symbolizes the harmony of tradition and modernity. Made from sustainable wood in Lower Austria, it showcases our craftsmanship and aligns with our goals for CO2 minimization in design. This innovative construction method is a perfect representation of Austria’s dedication to sustainable practices.
**Editor:** What economic implications do you foresee for Austria as a result of participating in Expo 2025?
**Kocher:** Expo 2025 is a crucial opportunity to strengthen our economic ties with Japan, where trade is projected to reach 4.6 billion euros this year. By presenting our technological and innovative strengths at the Expo, we are opening doors for Austrian companies to establish long-term partnerships and increase export opportunities, particularly in key growth markets.
**Editor:** How does this participation reflect the collaboration between Austrian and Japanese companies?
**Kocher:** Our long-standing relationship with Japan has been further enriched through joint projects and events leading up to the Expo. The cooperation enhances cultural and technological exchanges, ensuring that both nations can benefit from shared insights and innovations. It’s all about building a foundation for a prosperous future together.
**Editor:** how do you envision the reception of Austria’s pavilion at the Expo?
**Kocher:** We anticipate that approximately 2.1 million visitors will explore the Austrian pavilion. We hope the unique music ribbon will leave a lasting impression, showcasing Lower Austria’s excellence in manufacturing while emphasizing our collaborative spirit as we “compose” a better future together. The Expo serves as a vibrant stage to elevate Austria on the global map.
**Editor:** Thank you for your insights, Minister Kocher. We look forward to seeing Austria shine at Expo 2025!
Jected to reach 4.6 billion euros in 2023. This event allows Austria to showcase its strengths in various sectors, such as green tech and life sciences. We are looking at long-term collaborations that extend beyond the expo itself, which will greatly benefit our export companies and enhance our presence in Asian markets.
**Editor:** With such a strong emphasis on innovation, how does Austria plan to stand out among the participating countries?
**Kocher:** We’re focusing on our unique combination of tradition and modernity. Our pavilion will serve as a platform for dialogue and collaboration, presenting not just Austrian excellence but also showcasing our innovative spirit. Events leading up to the expo will further amplify our message and engage international audiences.
**Editor:** The sculpture is not just a visual centerpiece but also has an interesting architectural story behind it. How does it embody the theme of the expo?
**Kocher:** Precisely! The wooden sculpture symbolizes dynamism and elegance while featuring the first bars of Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy.” It is the embodiment of our motto, merging traditional craftsmanship with modern engineering techniques. This artistic expression serves as a metaphor for our vision of a collaborative future, resonating with the expo’s theme of designing a future society for our lives.
**Editor:** Lastly, what message would you like to convey to those who plan to visit Austria’s pavilion at Expo 2025?
**Kocher:** I invite everyone to experience Austria’s vibrant culture and unparalleled innovation firsthand. Our pavilion will not only be a showcase of our achievements but also a space for cultural exchange and ideas. Join us in discussing how we can collectively shape a sustainable and innovative future.