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

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

  • ALL AGES

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

By Japan Information & Culture Center, Embassy of Japan

Date and time

Thursday, May 8 · 6:30 - 8:30pm EDT.

Location

Japan Information & Culture Center, Embassy of Japan

1150 18th Street Northwest Suite 100 Washington, DC 20036

About this event

  • Event lasts 2 hours
  • ALL AGES
  • Paid venue parking

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

Frequently asked questions

Is there parking at the JICC?

There is street parking along 18th St NW and the surrounding area. Be sure to read the street parking signs carefully. There are also multiple parking garages on 18th Street NW and the surrounding area. Unfortunately, we are unable to validate these tickets.

Can I get to there by Metro?

The JICC is conveniently located in the Golden Triangle district. We are located near Farragut North on the Red line and Farragut West on the Orange, Silver, and Blue lines.

Tags

Organized by

Japan Information & Culture Center, Embassy of Japan

The Japan Information & Culture Center (JICC) is a part of the Public Affairs Section of the Embassy of Japan in Washington D.C. The JICC's goal is to promote better understanding of Japan and Japanese culture by providing a wide range of information and events to the American public.

 

We are located on the ground floor of 1150 18th St. in downtown Washington, D.C. Visitors to our center will enjoy the modern Japanese ambiance and the many events held in our facilities, which include a 130-seat auditorium.

 

Free