SWITZERLAND PAVILION Theme: From Heidi to High-Tech Size: 1,200 m² (260 m² exhibition area) Entrant: Swiss Confederation, FDFA, Presence Switzerland, www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/home/fdfa/organisation-fdfa/general-secretariat/presence-switzerland.html Design: Manuel Herz Architekten, Bellprat Partner Fabrication: Nüssli (Schweiz) AG Additional Contributors: Robin Winogrond Photos: FDFA, Presence Switzerland
Built on the theme From Heidi to High-Tech, the Swiss pavilion invites visitors on an immersive, interactive journey through the spirit of collaborative innovation. This narrative traces Switzerland’s transformation from its iconic Alpine heritage to its status as a globally recognized hub of cutting-edge technology.
As Expo 2025 offers a platform to exchange ideas for a sustainable future, Switzerland contributes with a pavilion designed to minimize environmental impact. This is realized through a lightweight membrane structure that forms four interconnected spheres on the ground floor. The scenography, imbued with a sense of lightness and joy, guides visitors through an engaging and informative experience.
It begins with a giant paper-cut installation that sets the tone, immersing guests in Swiss values of collaborative innovation. In the second sphere, visitors are invited to share their visions of the future, transforming them into a magical, bubbly art spectacle. They then enter the Anticipation sphere, where a rotating exhibition updated every two months showcases current technological advances and visionary breakthroughs around the themes of the Augmented Human, Life, and Planet.
Another central feature of this third sphere is the Geneva Public Portal to Anticipation, an interactive and Ai-powered installation positioned at the crossroads of art, science, and diplomacy. It encourages visitors to co-create fictional futures around the globe and across 5-, 10-, and 25-year horizons, highlighting the significance of foresight and imagination.
Finally, guests are immersed in an atmosphere that celebrates the joy and creativity at the core of Switzerland’s technological innovation, with Heidi reimagined as a symbol of Swiss ingenuity. As part of the Empowering Lives Zone, the Swiss pavilion showcases how collective human effort can drive innovation — and how innovation, in turn, can enrich and empower lives. Before departing, visitors can explore the Heidi Café or the shop to take home a piece of Switzerland, from traditional wooden toys to limited-edition KitKat flavors and more.
