At designPORT, we thrive at the edge of what’s possible—seeking out the technologies, ideas, and innovations that shape tomorrow’s products. This April, our team ventured to the 2025 World Expo in Osaka, Japan, where nations gathered under the theme “Designing Future Society for Our Lives.” We returned inspired, energized, and brimming with insights to share with our clients.
Nature Meets Technology: Coral Reefs by Design
Among the most striking discoveries was the work coming out of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Pavilion. Scientists from KAUST (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology) are leveraging 3D printing to restore coral reefs—an elegant example of biomimicry meeting sustainable design. Their innovation? A specially formulated calcium carbonate ink that’s durable, non-toxic, and sourced from natural materials. These printed reef structures are seeded with coral, enabling regeneration in fragile marine ecosystems.
For designPORT, it’s a powerful reminder that advanced fabrication isn’t just for prototyping—it’s reshaping how we interact with the environment. The possibilities for sustainable product development are vast, and we’re eager to bring those ideas into client work.
Building Big (and Beautiful): The Grand Ring
You can’t visit Expo 2025 without being awed by The Grand Ring—officially the world’s largest wooden architectural structure, as certified by Guinness World Records. Stretching across the Expo site, this massive timber loop represents not only architectural ambition but also a renewed commitment to natural materials and traditional design cues.
It’s a feat of engineering that speaks to the future of scalable, sustainable infrastructure—something we’re exploring more deeply for our clients in consumer products and smart environments.
designPORT: Always Exploring
Our trip to Osaka wasn’t just about sightseeing—it was a hands-on exploration of how emerging technologies are converging with sustainability, culture, and user experience. We came away with ideas, contacts, and inspirations that will inform our ongoing research, product strategy, and technical development. These insights directly fuel our innovation pipeline, helping us guide clients toward smarter, more resilient product ecosystems.
Whether you’re launching a new venture or rethinking an existing one, designPORT brings deep curiosity, global insight, and technical expertise to the table. At designPORT, we bring this global perspective into every collaboration—turning bold ideas into engineered realities.
Let’s build what’s next—together.