Five decades after its participation in Expo '70, Portugal returns to Osaka to pay tribute to the architectural and artistic vision that defined its presence at the first World Exposition held in Japan.
On 4 and 5 September 2025, Atelier Daciano da Costa will present a tribute to the authors of the Portuguese Pavilion at Expo '70 — Frederico George, António Garcia, and Daciano da Costa — in a project that weaves together memory, design, and contemporary relevance.
The original 1970 pavilion was a remarkable example of synthesis between form, history, and cultural identity. With an oblique pyramid as the central architectural feature and an exhibition route guiding visitors from past to future, the Portuguese proposal was pioneering in its articulation of heritage, innovation, and design. The scenography and content — divided between "Portugal of Yesterday" and "Portugal of Today and Tomorrow" — revealed a nation in dialogue with the world.
On 4 and 5 September 2025, Atelier Daciano da Costa will present a tribute to the authors of the Portuguese Pavilion at Expo '70 — Frederico George, António Garcia, and Daciano da Costa — in a project that weaves together memory, design, and contemporary relevance.
The original 1970 pavilion was a remarkable example of synthesis between form, history, and cultural identity. With an oblique pyramid as the central architectural feature and an exhibition route guiding visitors from past to future, the Portuguese proposal was pioneering in its articulation of heritage, innovation, and design. The scenography and content — divided between "Portugal of Yesterday" and "Portugal of Today and Tomorrow" — revealed a nation in dialogue with the world.
This return to Osaka aims to rekindle that spirit by presenting a previously unseen film, featuring never-before-shown materials from the authors' archives and various institutional collections. The initiative invites the public to revisit a defining moment in Portugal's exhibition history and to reflect on the role of design as a language of national representation.
The research, production, and curation are led by Atelier Daciano da Costa and João Paulo Martins, collaborating with several cultural and archival institutions.
The event celebrates the legacy of three key figures in 20th-century Portuguese design and architecture and reaffirms their contemporary relevance and power to inspire new generations of creators.
The research, production, and curation are led by Atelier Daciano da Costa and João Paulo Martins, collaborating with several cultural and archival institutions.
The event celebrates the legacy of three key figures in 20th-century Portuguese design and architecture and reaffirms their contemporary relevance and power to inspire new generations of creators.
