Trump rolls out risky new tariffs, Osaka readies for its second World Expo, and the man behind One World Trade Center dies. All that and more in this week’s Five on Friday.
A preview of what’s in store at Expo 2025 Osaka
Photo courtesy of Adobe Stock
Designboom takes an in-depth look at what’s to come at Expo 2025 Osaka in Japan. Kicking off April 13th, the World’s Fair will run for six months on the artificial island of Yumeshima, located southwest of Maishima island. The centerpiece of the exposition will be Sou Fujimoto’s monumental ring, which will become the world’s largest timber structure upon completion. Drawing from the architecture of ancient Japanese temples, the nearly 646,000-square-foot masterplan will house four event facilities tailored to diverse functions and feature an elevated observatory deck overlooking the site and Osaka Bay. Expo 2025 Osaka will also showcase a haystack-like dome from Hungary, an ocean-themed pavilion designed by Kengo Kuma for Portugal, and more.
Skyline-shaping architect David Childs dies
The 94-story One World Trade Center rises above Manhattan’s skyline; photo courtesy of Adobe Stock
American architect David Childs passed away last week on March 26th at age 83, Dezeen reports. After earning a master’s degree in architecture at Yale University, Childs was hired by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) in 1971 to open its Washington, DC office. He went on to serve as SOM’s chairman from 1991 to 1993 and again from 1998 to 2000. (Childs is the only firm partner to ever hold the chairman title twice.) He then remained a consulting partner until his retirement in 2022. Among Child’s notable designs is One World Trade Center, the tallest structure in the Western Hemisphere at 1,792 feet, built on the site of the World Trade Center complex after the 9/11 attacks. “We explored the infrastructural challenges because the proper solution would have to be compelling, not just beautiful,” Childs said of One WTC’s design. “The design does have great sculptural implications, and we fully understand the iconic importance of the tower, but it also has to be a highly efficient building. The discourse about Freedom Tower has often been limited to the symbolic, formal, and aesthetic aspects but we recognize that if this building doesn’t function well, if people don’t want to work and visit there, then we will have failed as architects.”
How Trump’s tariffs could impact the travel industry
Photo courtesy of Adobe Stock
President Trump’s recent tariff proposals—including a baseline of 10 percent import tax for trading partners and 25 percent on cars—could indirectly impact the U.S. travel industry. While tariffs don’t directly affect airfares or hotel prices, they could raise construction and equipment costs for the hotel sector and disrupt supply chains for airlines, Skift reports. Higher travel costs and political tensions may make the U.S. a less appealing destination, especially for international visitors. Additionally, the tariffs could slow hotel development and affect cross-border travel, as evidenced by a drop in Canadian tourists to the States. These developments add uncertainty to an already volatile market. “There’s lots of unintended consequences built in around what Trump is doing,” says Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary. “We honestly don’t know if it will be net-positive or net-negative—we’ll just have to wait and see.”
Wes Anderson retrospective visits Paris and London
Wes Anderson; copyright Searchlight Pictures/photo by Charlie Gray, courtesy of the Design Museum
Wes Anderson’s meticulous attention to detail and dedication to crafting immersive worlds is showcased in a new retrospective at Paris’ Cinémathèque Française, which will run through July before transferring to the Design Museum in London this fall. According to The New York Times, the exhibit, which features more than 500 iconic props from his films, emphasizes Anderson’s creative process—from his early days of safeguarding props to his deep involvement in every aspect of production. Notable items like the pink hotel model from The Grand Budapest Hotel and the handmade puppets in Isle of Dogs highlight his passion for design. The retrospective reveals how Anderson’s hands-on approach has shaped his distinctive visual style, influencing both film and popular culture.
150-plus leaders to speak at HD Expo in May
All CEU-accredited conference sessions will be hosted in the HD Park, designed by California-based firm EDG; rendering courtesy of EDG
HD Expo + Conference 2025 is less than five weeks away. The tradeshow, taking place May 6-8th at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, will offer 30-plus conference sessions featuring more than 150 distinguished leaders and rising stars from across the hospitality industry. (All CEU-accredited sessions will be hosted in the HD Park, designed by California firm EDG.) The robust speaker lineup includes Nadia Biski, Equinox; Nicole Dalton, Gensler; Gray Davis, Meyer Davis; Joe Faust, Dakota Development; Nicole Fournier, MGM Resorts; Matthew Goodrich, Goodrich; Helen Jorgensen, Host Hotels & Resorts; Greg Keffer, Rockwell Group; Danielle Khoo, Marriott; Leigh Salem, Post Company; Barry Sullivan, Hilton; Ron Swidler, the Gettys Group; and more. See the full conference schedule and register today!
