Lecture | Creating a Cultural Bridge with Trey Trahan of Trahan Architects

Discover how Japanese art and culture inspired the design of the USA Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka with architect Trey Trahan.

This event is free and open to the public.

Doors open at 6:00 PM and the event starts at 6:30 PM.

Creating a Cultural Bridge | The USA Pavilion at Osaka Expo 2025

with Trey Trahan, Founder & CEO, Trahan Architects

Presented by the Japan Information & Culture Center, Embassy of Japan, in Collaboration with the Embassy of Denmark, and in Special Collaboration with the Library of Congress.

New Orleans-based architecture firm Trahan Architects is known for their rooted approach to architecture — one that expresses the unique cultural, historical, and ecological characteristics of the places in which they build. During frequent visits to Japan, Founder & CEO Trey Trahan, FAIA, has developed a passion and deep reverence for Japanese art and culture. The process of making has fascinated him, leading to a vast personal collection of Japanese artifacts and artworks. Throughout his visits, he’s also discovered the numerous parallels between the shared ecologies of his native state of Louisiana and Japan that have permeated his firm’s approach to architecture.

In this talk, Trey will share how his relationship with Japanese sensibilities, craft, and artistry — embracing chance, focusing on materiality, and exercising a quiet restraint — has shaped his architectural vision. He will demonstrate how these influences helped guide his design for the recently opened USA Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai.

Special Thanks

Opening remarks will be delivered by Frederikke Møller Kristiansen, Head of Culture at the Embassy of Denmark, who will also introduce the Nordic Pavilion at Expo 2025.

A taste of Osaka will be generously provided by Calbee.

About the Speaker

Trey Trahan

Founder & CEO, Trahan Architects

Founder and CEO of Trahan Architects, Victor F. “Trey” Trahan III, FAIA, is globally recognized for designs that exhibit technological innovation, material expression, and a quiet sense of beauty. Trahan takes a rooted approach to architecture with a deep investment in understanding the culture, history and ecology of each project and place to inform his firm’s designs. Notable projects include the USA Pavilion for Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, the renovation of the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana, The Alliance Theatre at the Woodruff Arts Center in Atlanta, Georgia, and the Louisiana Museum and Sports Hall of Fame in Natchitoches, Louisiana.

Over the years, Trahan Architects’ innovative designs have garnered over 100 national, state, regional, and local AIA awards. Through their work and ethos-driven initiatives, Trahan and his firm are dedicated to exploring how architecture can reveal stories untold with humility and enduring vision.

This event is free and open to the public, but registration is required for security purposes. Program begins at 6:30PM. Doors open 30 minutes prior. No admittance after 7:00 PM or once seating is full. Registered guests will be seated on a first come, first served basis. Please note that seating is limited and registration does not guarantee guests a seat