Cartier Women's Pavilion

Inspired by kumiko

Weaving Legacy and Innovation: Yuko Nagayama’s Vision for Cartier at Expo 2025

Cartier Women’s Pavilion: A Living Sculpture in Motion

At its core, this pavilion is an ecological act disguised as an artistic one. Inspired by kumiko, a traditional Japanese woodworking method that interlocks without nails or glue, the Pavilion’s lattice façade is both sustainable and symbolic. The pattern evokes interconnection, while its kinetic layering filters wind and sunlight organically. This natural breathability reduces the need for mechanical cooling, embodying the essence of passive design.

Rather than dominate the Expo landscape, the Pavilion invites introspection. The interior, crafted in close collaboration with Es Devlin, guides visitors through an immersive, story-led journey. Light is treated as a medium of memory, streaming through the wooden veil, shifting with time, never static.

Aerial view of a futuristic museum with a sleek, curved design, surrounded by landscaped gardens and a small waterfall feature. Nearby, a stadium can be seen, along with residential and city buildings under a partly cloudy sky.

What makes this pavilion distinctly moving is its commitment to soft power. Rather than assert its message through height or steel, it whispers it through joinery, wind, and light. It celebrates feminine architecture, quiet, circular, collaborative, drawing visitors inward rather than towering over them.

The Pavilion doesn’t merely house conversations about women and equity; it embodies them.

Futuristic park setting with a modern white structure in the background, surrounded by green lawns and purple-flowered trees. People are walking, riding bikes, and relaxing on the grass under a partly cloudy sky.
Interior view of a spacious modern lobby with high ceilings, large pillars, a central reception desk, and people walking around. The architecture features smooth curves and natural light.

The design was conceptualized to reflect Los Angeles’s vibrant pioneering spirit and embrace of its diverse inhabitants, representing a celebration of dialogue, understanding, and inclusivity. It stands as a testament to the city's vibrancy, history of innovation, and rich cultural tapestry. For an institution dedicated to the art of visual storytelling, the design of the campus invites the visitor on a journey long before stepping into the museum’s galleries.

— MAD Architects Inspiration & Design Concept

Design and Construction Team

The architectural vision for the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art is achieved through strong collaboration between talented and innovative architecture, construction, and engineering teams.

Design Architect - MAD Architects
Achitect of Record - Stantec
Landscape Design Architect - Studio-MLA
Construction Manager - JLL
General Contractor - Hathaway Dinwiddie
Structural Engineer - LERA
Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, Fire Life Safety - Alfa Tech