| The Grand Ring | |
|---|---|
大屋根リング | |
 The Grand Ring in April 2025 | |
 Interactive map of The Grand Ring | |
| General information | |
| Status | Completed |
| Location | Yumeshima, Osaka, Japan, Japan |
| Year built | 2023–2025 |
| Height | 20 meters |
| Technical details | |
| Floor area | 61,035.55 square metre |
| [1] | |
The Grand Ring was a building designed by Sou Fujimoto for Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan. Built using traditional wooden joinery, it covered an area of 61,035 square metres (656,980 sq ft), making it the largest wooden architectural structure on earth according to the Guinness Book of World Records.[2][3][4][5]
As the name suggests, it was a large wooden ring covering 61,035 square metres. The Nuki technique was used for wooden joinery, along with modern building technologies. About 70% of the wood used in the ring was Japanese Cryptomeria and Chamaecyparis obtusa, while the other 30% was imported Pinus sylvestris.[6] The top of the structure featured a 2,025 meter long "Skywalk", accessible via five escalators and six elevators.[7][8] According to the Guinness World Records, the Grand Ring was the largest wooden architectural structure on earth.[9]
The ring was originally planned to be demolished after the end of the Expo 2025, with wooden materials re-used in the future.[10] However, private sectors have proposed preserving 200 meters of the northern ring to preserve as a landmark, while Hirofumi Yoshimura, the governor of the Osaka Prefecture proposed preserving 600 meters of the southern part of the ring.[11][12] In October 2025, Ishikawa Prefecture officials proposed using some parts of the Grand Ring to rebuild damaged houses in Suzu.[13][14] Fujimoto said in December that most of the Grand Ring would be dismantled and burned as fuel.[15]
References
[edit]- ^ 日本放送協会. "大屋根リングがギネス世界記録に 大阪・関西万博｜NHK 関西のニュース". NHK NEWS WEB. Retrieved 2025-05-09.
- ^ "World's largest wooden structure encircles Expo 2025 Osaka". Dezeen. April 24, 2025.
- ^ "Innovation, tech and Japanese tradition to meet at Osaka Expo 2025". South China Morning Post. April 7, 2025.
- ^ "First Photos Revealed of 'Grand Ring' by Sou Fujimoto for Expo 2025 Osaka". ArchDaily. August 28, 2024.
- ^ Montgomery, Oscar Holland, Hanako (April 11, 2025). "Architect Sou Fujimoto: Expo 2025 is 'a precious opportunity to come together'". CNN.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "大屋根リング | EXPO 2025 大阪・関西万博公式Webサイト". EXPO 2025 大阪・関西万博公式Webサイト (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-05-09.
- ^ 日経クロステック（xTECH） (2025-03-06). "大阪・関西万博の大屋根リングが完成、世界最大の木造建築物としてギネス認定". 日経クロステック（xTECH） (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-05-10.
- ^ Fukue, Natsuko (2025-01-01). "Architect Sou Fujimoto says his 'Grand Ring' will be a symbol of unity at the Osaka Expo". The Japan Times. Retrieved 2025-05-18.
- ^ 日本放送協会. "大屋根リングがギネス世界記録に 大阪・関西万博｜NHK 関西のニュース". NHK NEWS WEB. Retrieved 2025-05-09.
- ^ 日経クロステック（xTECH） (2025-03-14). "大屋根リングは「レガシー建築」になれるか、万博開幕前から閉幕後を考える". 日経クロステック（xTECH） (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-05-10.
- ^ 日本放送協会. "大阪・関西万博 大屋根リング活用方針 ６月２３日決定へ｜NHK 関西のニュース". NHK NEWS WEB. Retrieved 2025-05-10.
- ^ "大屋根リング、吉村知事が海側６００メートル保存を提案…費用は１０年で１７億円". 読売新聞オンライン (in Japanese). 2025-05-03. Retrieved 2025-05-10.
- ^ "Osaka Expo's Grand Ring timber to be reused for housing in Ishikawa". The Japan Times. October 2, 2025. Retrieved October 4, 2025.
- ^ Nagai, Keiko (October 2, 2025). "万博の大屋根リング、能登の復興住宅に 一部を活用「レガシー継承」" [Part of Expo's giant roof ring to be used for reconstruction housing in Noto, "passing on the legacy"]. 朝日新聞 (in Japanese). Retrieved October 4, 2025.
- ^ Barker, Nat (December 11, 2025). "Most of world's largest wooden structure The Grand Ring to be burned as "chips for fuel"". Dezeen. Retrieved December 13, 2025.