Luxembourg Pavilion Foundation Concrete Blocks Reused: New Monument to Emerge at Nesta Resort Kobe in May 2026

Senba Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo / President: Jun Odagiri), in collaboration with the 2025 Osaka Expo Luxembourg Economic Interest Grouping (GIE), the planning and implementing body for the Luxembourg Pavilion at the Osaka-Kansai Expo, and Nesta Resort Kobe Co., Ltd., is undertaking the reuse of foundation concrete blocks from the pavilion in Japan. Through Senba's production, it has been decided that these foundation concrete blocks will be utilized as a retaining wall to prevent soil runoff within Nesta Resort Kobe. Beyond merely serving as a retaining wall, the blocks will feature mural art* by mural artist KAC, transforming into an iconic monument that connects the memory of the Expo to the future. The monument is planned to be approximately 150 meters in length and 1.6 meters in height, scheduled for completion in May 2026 at Nesta Resort Kobe's second parking lot. *Large-scale art directly painted on walls of buildings or public facilities, shutters, etc. Furthermore, the exterior panels and belts of the Luxembourg Pavilion will also be upcycled and reborn as street furniture. ■ Realizing unprecedented reuse of foundation concrete blocks The Luxembourg Pavilion adopted 'Circular by Design' (a concept based on circular economy principles, designed for demolition and reuse) and was conceived and designed from the outset to allow for the maximum possible reuse of its components, including major architectural materials, within Japan even after the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo. The circular economy is a core theme of the Osaka-Kansai Expo, and the Luxembourg Pavilion's thorough reuse efforts were recognized, earning it the 'Sustainability Award' from the BIE (Bureau International des Expositions). Foundation concrete blocks (approx. 2.4 tons/block) to be buried underground (at the time of installation) Photo courtesy of Naito House Co., Ltd. Senba verified the possibilities for domestic reuse of architectural materials after the Expo, proposed reuse ideas, and coordinated with various stakeholders. As a result, it was decided to reuse the foundation concrete blocks and some exterior panels/belts at Nesta Resort Kobe. >Press release regarding the project: Challenging 100% domestic reuse of foundation concrete blocks used in the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo 'Luxembourg Pavilion' ■ A monument that connects the legacy of the Expo to the future In Japan, it is common practice for used foundation concrete blocks to be downcycled, processed by crushing and used as recycled aggregate. However, this method faces several challenges, including processing costs, CO2 emissions and dust generation during crushing and transportation, and limitations in recycling efficiency. This project, by transferring and reusing the blocks at Nesta Resort Kobe, which is a short distance from the Expo venue, is expected to reduce environmental and human burdens such as CO2 reduction. 226 foundation concrete blocks (approx. 542 tons) used in the Luxembourg Pavilion will be excavated, usable ones selected, and repurposed as mural art and upcycled furniture. Mural artist KAC, who specializes in expression in public spaces, will create the mural art. In this project, the aim is to transform the wall of foundation concrete blocks not just into a retaining wall, but into a presence that brings new landscape value to Nesta Resort Kobe, emphasizing strong visibility, approachability, and the expressive power to make the entire wall surface function as a single landscape. KAC's characteristic expression involves interpreting the time and memories residing in traces such as cracks on the wall, depicting inexpressible emotions using the motif of 'eyes'. The realization of this project came about because Senba's desire to reinterpret the foundation concrete blocks that supported the Luxembourg Pavilion as 'materials imbued with memories' and regenerate them into new value, resonated with KAC's artistic expression. The monument to be created this time inherits the 'Doki Doki' concept of the Luxembourg Pavilion, connecting its legacy to Nesta Resort Kobe. The concrete blocks that once supported the Expo will receive new 'Doki Doki' in this place, continuing to exist with people's time, and showing different expressions depending on the viewer and their feelings at the moment. KAC was born in Hiroshima Prefecture in 1988. In his teens, he was deeply impacted by graffiti in Hiroshima city and began his artistic activities. He excels in characters, and his spontaneous characters, born from sharp spray can control and flashes of inspiration, appear in his works with an eccentric worldview. In recent years, he has been involved in mural art.