MANY YEARS LATER, as he faced the firing squad, Colonel Aureliano Buendía was to remember that distant afternoon when his father took him to discover ice."— G. García Márquez, One Hundred Years of Solitude (translated by Gregory Rabassa).
In One Hundred Years of Solitude, the Colombian Nobel Prize-winning author G. García Márquez vividly captures the moment a boy witnesses ice for the first time in the mythical town of Macondo.

Drawing inspiration from this poignant scene, the Colombian Pavilion at the Osaka-Kansai Expo embraces the concept of ICE CUBE, featuring a façade design composed of numerous translucent cubes arranged in various directions. ICE CUBE is constructed from translucent polycarbonate sheets, illuminated to create dynamic expressions that captivate visitors from day to night, while promoting Colombian culture. Inside the pavilion, guests can savor Colombian coffee at a bar counter situated in the entrance hall. Given the temporary nature of Expo pavilions, the project was designed for a short construction period, low cost, and recyclability. The main structure utilizes prefabricated steel houses, and a floating foundation was implemented to address the site's soft ground conditions. The spacious, simple design of the steel house accommodates a variety of exhibition layouts, while some excavated areas are effectively used for back-of-house space on a mezzanine floor. The façade, crafted like a woven narrative, combines with a building focused on practicality and environmental sustainability, merging two distinct philosophies. Together, they establish the Colombian Pavilion as a striking presence at the Expo, celebrating the intersection of diverse cultures.