Japan - ON, an international provider of AV solutions with operational hubs in Brazil and Portugal, was entrusted with the full AV integration and daily operation of the Portugal Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, a standout cultural and technological space, which has already welcomed over 500,000 visitors.
The Pavilion, designed by internationally acclaimed architect Kengo Kuma, explores the theme The Ocean: The Blue Dialogue through immersive storytelling, interactive installations, and large-scale projections.
ON was contracted by Rimond SRL, the general contractor for the project, to deliver the complete AVL infrastructure for the Portugal Pavilion - covering everything from equipment acquisition and system design to installation, integration, and daily operation throughout the six-month event. Their scope included projection systems (walls, floors, interactive surfaces, and a custom-built minidome), architectural and scenic lighting, multichannel sound systems, LED installations, touchscreen displays, and centralized control automation.
As the Pavilion is entirely driven by audiovisual content, the seamless integration and reliability of these systems were critical. A team of eight professionals from ON worked on-site in Osaka, collaborating closely with local Japanese teams and Portuguese partners to meet tight deadlines and navigate challenges. The conceptual development and exhibition design were led by MUSE - Museums & Expos, a company specialised in curating museum and cultural projects.
The Pavilion spans 1,836 m² and combines open-air architecture with a carefully orchestrated interior flow, where audiovisual technology acts as an invisible guide, shaping atmosphere, rhythm, interaction, and emotional impact at every step. From the first moment outside to the final immersive space, the visitor journey is a seamless traversal of history, culture, sustainability, and maritime exploration - all narrated through AVL.
Inside the Pavilion, the experience begins in the Waiting Area, where a multichannel soundscape envelops visitors in the sonic atmosphere of ocean waves and winds, created by composer Diogo Alvim. This ambient audio, delivered through discreet weatherproof loudspeakers, marks the first act of a journey where AVL becomes storytelling.
The next space, known as Room 1, is a darkened environment organised around five thematic “islands,” each offering a different layer of interpretation through light, projection, image, and sound.
Five Optoma ZK708T 4K DLP laser projectors provide ambient environmental visuals throughout Room 1. All of Room 1 is tied together by a LED ribbon integrated within the islands and a surround audio system built with Audac loudspeakers and Prolights fixtures, creating a cohesive audiovisual envelope. The technical rack includes GrandMA3 lighting controllers and Watchout 6 media servers, forming the backbone of the control system.
The journey continues into Room 2, the Pavilion’s immersive climax. Here, 16 Barco G62-W9 laser projectors, combined with a Watchout 3D-modeled content engine, create a fully enveloping animated underwater landscape across curved walls and floor.
Beyond the exhibition, ON also equipped the restaurant, terrace, shop, and multipurpose room, providing ambient audio and versatile AV setups for concerts, film screenings, diplomatic receptions, and cultural events. The Multipurpose Room includes dual Barco projectors, Shure microphone systems, live streaming equipment, simultaneous interpretation infrastructure, Panasonic PTZ cameras, and Bose L1 Pro 16 sound systems, as well as Roland V-60 and Behringer X32 mixers, and laptops running Resolume and Vmix software for video control and real-time projection.
All audiovisual equipment was acquired new in Portugal specifically for the Expo and shipped to Japan in more than 20 pallets, totaling around four tons. The entire system was customised and built to meet both Portuguese and Japanese technical standards.
Sustainability was a guiding principle throughout the AV system design. All lighting systems use high-efficiency LED technology, and projection relies on laser-based systems that consume significantly less energy than traditional lamps. Equipment such as Audac amplifiers and Epson and Barco projectors were selected for energy efficiency and long lifecycle, reducing waste and power demand. Modular mounts and racks were chosen for future reuse, and Japanese recycling protocols were followed for packaging and installation waste.
“This project was not only a technical challenge, but also a defining moment for us as a company,” said Hugo Rodrigues, CEO of ON. “It validated our ability to deliver highly customized, complex AV solutions in an international environment, working hand in hand with foreign teams under demanding operational and cultural standards. We’re proud not only of what we delivered, but of how we earned trust, solved problems, and became a trusted part of a multicultural team delivering an ambitious and impactful experience.”
Since opening, the Portugal Pavilion has been visited by more than 500,000 people, drawing praise for its immersive design and sensory narrative.
