More than five decades after its historic presence at Expo'70, Portugal returned to Osaka to honour the architectural and artistic vision that marked its participation in the first World Exposition held in Japan.
On 4 and 5 September 2025, the Portugal Pavilion welcomed hundreds of visitors to a celebration that evoked the work of Frederico George, António Garcia and Daciano da Costa, the creators of the 1970 Portuguese Pavilion.
"It was a great honour to represent the family of Daciano da Costa at Expo Osaka 2025 and at the Portugal Pavilion, designed by Kengo Kuma. Participating in the exhibition dedicated to the 1970 Portuguese Pavilion, created by my father alongside Frederico George and António Garcia, was a truly moving experience and a unique celebration of his legacy," said architect Catarina Cottinelli, daughter of Daciano da Costa, who attended the exhibition.
The programme's highlight was the premiere of a previously unseen film, produced by the Videotheque of the Lisbon Municipal Archive in partnership with Atelier Daciano da Costa. Built from never-before-shown materials, sourced from the authors' personal archives and various institutional collections, the film invited the audience to revisit one of the most significant chapters in Portugal's exhibition history and to reflect on design as a language of national representation.
On 4 and 5 September 2025, the Portugal Pavilion welcomed hundreds of visitors to a celebration that evoked the work of Frederico George, António Garcia and Daciano da Costa, the creators of the 1970 Portuguese Pavilion.
"It was a great honour to represent the family of Daciano da Costa at Expo Osaka 2025 and at the Portugal Pavilion, designed by Kengo Kuma. Participating in the exhibition dedicated to the 1970 Portuguese Pavilion, created by my father alongside Frederico George and António Garcia, was a truly moving experience and a unique celebration of his legacy," said architect Catarina Cottinelli, daughter of Daciano da Costa, who attended the exhibition.
The programme's highlight was the premiere of a previously unseen film, produced by the Videotheque of the Lisbon Municipal Archive in partnership with Atelier Daciano da Costa. Built from never-before-shown materials, sourced from the authors' personal archives and various institutional collections, the film invited the audience to revisit one of the most significant chapters in Portugal's exhibition history and to reflect on design as a language of national representation.
The research, production and curatorship were carried out by Atelier Daciano da Costa and João Paulo Martins, collaborating with several cultural and archival institutions. For the Atelier, it was a source of great pride to mark 55 years after the pavilion's construction, this return to Osaka, consolidating an ongoing effort to value the work of Daciano da Costa and to highlight other contemporaries and friends, such as Frederico George and António Garcia.
The exhibition stood out not only as a tribute to three significant figures of 20th-century Portuguese design and architecture, but also as an affirmation of the contemporary relevance of their work and the inspiration it continues to offer new generations of creators.
"The exhibition dedicated to Daciano da Costa at the Portugal Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai carries deep symbolic meaning, celebrating the architect who designed the Portugal Pavilion at Expo 1970 in Osaka. His legacy continues to inspire contemporary design and architecture, bridging past and present. This tribute is made even more special by coinciding with the 95th anniversary of his birth. A fitting celebration of a leading figure in Portuguese architecture and design," underlined Bernardo Amaral, Director of the Portugal Pavilion at Expo Osaka.
The initiative attracted a strong public turnout, reflecting renewed interest in the cultural heritage and decisive contribution of these creators to Portugal's recognition in the international design and architecture scene.
The exhibition stood out not only as a tribute to three significant figures of 20th-century Portuguese design and architecture, but also as an affirmation of the contemporary relevance of their work and the inspiration it continues to offer new generations of creators.
"The exhibition dedicated to Daciano da Costa at the Portugal Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai carries deep symbolic meaning, celebrating the architect who designed the Portugal Pavilion at Expo 1970 in Osaka. His legacy continues to inspire contemporary design and architecture, bridging past and present. This tribute is made even more special by coinciding with the 95th anniversary of his birth. A fitting celebration of a leading figure in Portuguese architecture and design," underlined Bernardo Amaral, Director of the Portugal Pavilion at Expo Osaka.
The initiative attracted a strong public turnout, reflecting renewed interest in the cultural heritage and decisive contribution of these creators to Portugal's recognition in the international design and architecture scene.
