Waves of innovation at Portugal’s World Expo pavilion

At Expo 2025 Osaka, the Portugal Pavilion stands as a powerful symbol of innovation, sustainability, and cultural storytelling. The pavilion immerses visitors in “The Ocean: The Blue Dialogue”, a theme that celebrates Portugal’s maritime legacy and its vision for a sustainable future. Central to this immersive experience is the integration of Barco G-series projectors, delivering stunning visuals that bring the ocean to life.

Context

The World Expo is a global event that brings together countries from around the world to showcase their innovations, cultures, and visions for the future. Held every five years, it serves as a platform for immersive storytelling and technological excellence. At Expo 2025 Osaka, the Portugal Pavilion stands out as a striking example of this mission.

Under the title “The Ocean: The Blue Dialogue”, Portugal uses architecture, art, and advanced audiovisual technology to immerse visitors in the country’s maritime heritage and its commitment to ocean sustainability.

Designed by world-renowned architect Kengo Kuma, the pavilion features a wave-inspired structure crafted from recycled fishing nets and suspended ropes to evoke the rhythm and texture of the sea. Inside, the journey culminates in Room 2, a 360-degree projection space creating a vivid underwater world that captivates and educates. Beyond the exhibitions, the pavilion includes a restaurant, terrace, and event space—all designed to extend the oceanic theme.

The conceptual development and exhibition design were led by MUSE – Museums & Expos, enriching the narrative with immersive storytelling and interactive installations. On Projeções, contracted by Rimond SRL, managed the full AVL infrastructure—from equipment acquisition and system design to installation and daily operation. Their eight-person team worked closely with local Japanese teams and Portuguese partners, overcoming logistical and cultural challenges with professionalism and creativity.

Challenge

This project was executed under challenging conditions. The equipment was newly procured in Portugal, tested, and then shipped to Japan adhering to tight deadlines and strict customs protocols. The team faced harsh weather conditions, including freezing temperatures and strong winds, which required frequent on-site adjustments. In addition, Room 2 presented architectural challenges with its curved walls and low ceiling.

The project’s complexity was elevated by the multicultural team dynamics, with professionals from Portugal, Japan, Italy, and Brazil coordinating across languages, time zones and disciplines. Despite these challenges, On Projeções prioritized team well-being, fostering a supportive environment that was vital for the project’s success.

Solution

Room 2 is the pavilion’s immersive core. Here, sixteen Barco G62-W9 projectors strategically positioned to create a seamless 360-degree or multi-surface underwater projection, transforming the environment into an immersive landscape. This space integrates media servers and advanced calibration software to ensure perfectly aligned images, inviting visitors to reflect on ocean sustainability and marine conservation.

The Barco projectors were chosen for their exceptional brightness and image quality, ensuring vivid and sharp visuals that were crucial for the pavilion's immersive experience. The laser phosphor light source also offers up to 20,000 hours of maintenance-free operation, which significantly reduces the total cost of ownership compared to traditional lamp-based projectors.

Barco's flexibility in installation was another key factor. The projectors support 360° orientation, motorized lens shift, and a wide range of interchangeable lenses, allowing for versatile placement and optimal projection angles. This flexibility was critical in adapting to the pavilion's complex architectural design. Using Watchout software, the Barco projectors were synchronized to achieve a seamless display across the curved walls and low ceiling of the pavilion. This integration ensured a cohesive visual presentation, enhancing the overall immersive experience.

Reliable support and guidance were ensured through Barco’s representatives and global service network, which is designed for seamless integration and offers peace of mind with prompt customer support. Significantly, Barco's operational presence in Japan provided an essential support point, ensuring quick assistance for any issues during the expo.

Additional Barco projectors are used in the multipurpose room, ensuring a consistent AV experience throughout the pavilion. The combination of technical superiority, installation flexibility, local support presence, and trusted relationships made Barco the ideal choice for the Portugal Pavilion's demanding requirements.

Results

The outcome of the Portugal Pavilion was nothing short of exceptional. Visited by over 500,000 people in the first few weeks, the pavilion’s immersive design, powered by Barco’s projection technology, was praised for its emotional impact and sensory storytelling. "Barco’s projectors didn’t just meet our expectations, they elevated the entire experience. Their reliability, image quality, and support were essential in turning our vision into a living, breathing story of the sea."

The strategic integration and technical sophistication of AV systems elevate the Pavilion from an exhibition to an immersive sensory experience, effectively guiding visitors through a narrative intertwining Portugal’s maritime history, culture, and commitment to sustainability. This technology ensures Portugal’s message resonates deeply with each visitor, solidifying its future vision.