A groundbreaking architectural installation has emerged at Expo 2025 Osaka, featuring an innovative public restroom designed by collaborative firms PONDEDGE and f a r m. The 101-square-meter structure, known as "Mirage in Yumeshima," represents a revolutionary approach to temporary architecture through advanced 3D printing technology and thoughtful environmental integration.
Located in a plaza surrounded by iconic architectural landmarks, the project was conceived not as a clearly defined form, but as something that recedes into the background—an architecture that allows only the phenomena of its surroundings to come into focus. Lead architects Jumpei Suzuki from PONDEDGE, along with Rui Murabe and Akiko Fujimoto from f a r m, designed the structure to blend seamlessly with its environment while providing essential facilities for expo visitors.
The innovative design addresses the unique challenge of creating a restroom in a highly open environment that achieves both abundant natural light and necessary privacy. The building's plan spreads out in a web-like pattern, with 3D-printed polycarbonate panels affixed to a steel frame that flexibly adapts to variations along the circular axis. This panelized system leverages the adaptability of 3D printing to accommodate complex geometries and dimensional shifts, positioning the design as an extension of conventional architectural methods rather than adopting a self-contained, vessel-like form typically associated with 3D printing.
The exterior perimeter panels feature integrated coping designed to completely obscure the presence of the roof. While the polycarbonate panels run along the circular direction, the radial elements—including walls and low partitions—are finished with Galvalume steel sheets, ensuring a consistent tone and reflective quality of light throughout the structure. This careful material selection creates a harmonious relationship between different architectural elements while maintaining the building's ephemeral character.
Inside the facility, the ceiling is composed of soft aluminum insulation, creating a gently glowing surface that provides ambient illumination. The accessible restroom features dual layers of 3D-printed walls that generate a full-height luminous plane, demonstrating how advanced manufacturing techniques can enhance both functionality and aesthetic appeal in public architecture.
The wave-shaped 3D-printed panels intentionally embrace distortions from the fabrication process as part of the architectural expression. These panels, which combine reflectivity and translucency, intricately capture surrounding light, allowing the building's presence to emerge through its dynamic relationship with the environment. The structure appears to float like a mirage above the island, veiled in transient light that changes throughout the day.
Engineering support for the project came from multiple specialized firms, including ND3M for general consulting, Ohno Japan for structural engineering, and ZO Consulting Engineers for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems. This collaborative approach ensured that the innovative design concepts could be successfully realized within the constraints of temporary exhibition architecture.
As a temporary installation appearing only during the exhibition period, this architecture will continue its journey to another location after Expo 2025 concludes. The project demonstrates how contemporary architects are pushing the boundaries of 3D printing technology while creating structures that respond sensitively to their surroundings and serve essential public functions. The Mirage in Yumeshima stands as a testament to the potential of innovative materials and manufacturing processes in creating architecture that is both functionally effective and visually striking.
