The Netherlands Pavilion is a story-driven, immersive space where fully circular, dismountable architecture and interactive installations converge to tell the story of the country’s historic shift from resisting water to embracing it as a driver of sustainability and resilience. Here, each visitor becomes an active participant in this story and space through the Energy Orb — a personal device that powers and responds to installations throughout the experience, deepening engagement and creating a tailored journey. The experience begins at the Orb Check-In Mirror, where each Orb lights up and charges, symbolizing the start of an immersive exploration.
Living below sea level has taught the Dutch to adapt, transforming water-related challenges into opportunities. By embracing differences and working together, they have developed collaborative solutions for living in harmony with water — a mindset rooted in collective problem-solving known as the Dutch concept of common ground.
This approach isn’t just about keeping water out; it’s about integrating it into everyday life and unlocking its potential as a clean, renewable energy source. The pavilion rethinks our relationship with water and shows through cooperation with both people and nature, we can tackle shared challenges and accelerate the transition toward circular solutions for the energy transition.
A highlight of the experience is “A New Dawn,” a groundbreaking 360° fully AI-generated dome film presented inside the pavilion’s iconic sphere. This 2.5-minute cinematic experience blends breathtaking visuals with interactive elements to explore the Netherlands’ deep relationship with water, culminating in a call to unite for a sustainable, eco-conscious future.
The experience concludes at the Pledge Station, where visitors step into a circle to contribute to a generative, collaborative artwork. Each Energy Orb emits pulses of light and sound that synchronize and evolve as more visitors join. This collective moment transforms the pavilion’s message into a collective call to action, encouraging tangible pledges toward sustainability.
