A full 16 years after Praemium Imperiale Laureate Yoshio Taniguchi was given the commission to update the 1966 collection hall at the Kyoto National Museum, the new Heisei Chishinkan finally opened on 13 September.
The almost 18.000 m2 new wing now houses some of Japan's most important artworks, so it was key that the building, including the storage and exhibition facilities, was earthquake secured to the highest technological standards. In fact, the completed building has been left empty for a whole year before the opening just to make sure the construction materials and paints are all set.
Known as the Meiji Kotokan, the museum's main building dates back from 1895 and, with its red-brick French Renaissance ornamental style, it could not be more different from Taniguchi's strict geometrical and modern architecture in glass, steel and limestone. Taniguchi - who is also behind the redesign of the Museum of Modern Art in New York - hasn't tried to hide this, but has made some considerations to facilitate the juxtaposition between these two very different buildings. The height of the new building's portico roof is kept at the same level as the old building's eaves. Two stories of the new wing have been constructed underground to minimise the volume of the rather large building, so as not to overpower the existing Meiji Kotokan.
The interiors are sharply divided in two. The exhibition and storage areas are completely shut off from natural light and feature the latest in climate control technology to preserve the precious cultural artefacts in the museum's archives. The front lobby, restaurant and offices are kept much more open and allow vistas of the surrounding greenery and Kyoto neighbourhoods.
Next up is landscaping. Taniguchi is planning to revamp the large central garden on the complex to better connect these two very distinct buildings. Watch this space.
The new addition is a minimalist departure from the museum's existing Meiji Kotokan building, which dates back from 1895.courtesy of Kyoto National Museum
Despite their differences, there are subtle visual connections between the two buildings. Taniguchi has kept the Heisei Chishinkan's portico roof at the same level as the older building's eaves.courtesy of Kyoto National Museum
The glass, steel and limestone building also features two underground levels, making its overall volume more manageable and respectful to the Meiji Kotokan's shape. courtesy of Kyoto National Museum
The exhibition and storage areas are completely shut-off from natural light and feature the latest in climate control to preserve the museum's precious artefacts. courtesy of Kyoto National Museum
Address
Kyoto National Museum
527 Chaya-cho
Higashiyama-ku
Kyoto
Japan 605-0931
-
Herzog & de Meuron and Piet Oudolf unveil Calder Gardens in PhiladelphiaThe new cultural landmark presents Alexander Calder’s work in dialogue with nature and architecture, alongside the release of Jacques Herzog’s 'Sketches & Notes'. Ellie Stathaki interviews Herzog about the project.
-
Beloved British screenwriter Dennis Potter inspires an exhibition with a difference at Studio VoltaireHilary Lloyd's multi-faceted exhibition at Studio Voltaire considers Dennis Potter's life and work, from much-loved TV classics to power inequalities
-
Insert here: London Design Festival gets intimate with insertable designAt London Design Festival, Heirloom Studio showcases 36 objects – some life-saving, some pleasure-giving, all made to go inside the body
-
A new Tadao Ando monograph unveils the creative process guiding the architect's practiceNew monograph ‘Tadao Ando. Sketches, Drawings, and Architecture’ by Taschen charts decades of creative work by the Japanese modernist master
-
A Tokyo home’s mysterious, brutalist façade hides a secret urban retreatDesigned by Apollo Architects, Tokyo home Stealth House evokes the feeling of a secluded resort, packaged up neatly into a private residence
-
Landscape architect Taichi Saito: ‘I hope to create gentle landscapes that allow people’s hearts to feel at ease’We meet Taichi Saito and his 'gentle' landscapes, as the Japanese designer discusses his desire for a 'deep and meaningful' connection between humans and the natural world
-
Campaigners propose reuse to save Kenzo Tange’s modernist ‘Ship Gymnasium’ in JapanThe Pritzker Prize-winning architect’s former Kagawa Prefectural Gymnasium is at risk of demolition; we caught up with the campaigners who hope to save it
-
A new photo book explores the symbolic beauty of the Japanese garden‘Modern Japanese Gardens’ from Thames & Hudson traces the 20th-century evolution of these serene spaces, where every element has a purpose
-
The Architecture Edit: Wallpaper’s favourite July housesFrom geometric Japanese cottages to restored modernist masterpieces, these are the best residential projects to have crossed the architecture desk this month
-
George Lucas’ otherworldly Los Angeles museum is almost finished. Here’s a sneak peekArchitect Ma Yansong walks us through the design of the $1 billion Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, set to open early next year
-
The great American museum boomNine of the world’s top ten most expensive, recently announced cultural projects are in the US. What is driving this investment, and is this statistic sustainable?
