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
-
‘Just beneath the surface there’s another world’: How David Lynch used hair and make-up to create his singular universeFrom Blue Velvet and Mulholland Drive to Twin Peaks, David Lynch used hair and make-up in his films as a narrative device, writes Laura Havlin
-
Burns Night 2025: where to celebrate in LondonIt is time to raise a wee dram to Scotland’s national poet Robert Burns on Burns Night (25 January). Here is our pick of places to enjoy an evening of generous speechmaking, toasting, and drinking around London
-
Tag Heuer unveils sporty new collections at LVMH Watch Week 2025Tag Heuer has announced a series of new watches at LVMH Watch Week, including Formula 1 and Carrera editions
-
Architect Sou Fujimoto explains how the ‘idea of the forest’ is central to everythingSou Fujimoto has been masterminding the upcoming Expo 2025 Osaka for the past five years, as the site’s design producer. To mark the 2025 Wallpaper* Design Awards, the Japanese architect talks to us about 2024, the year ahead, and materiality, nature, diversity and technological advances
-
Tadao Ando: the self-taught contemporary architecture master who 'converts feelings into physical form’Tadao Ando is a self-taught architect who rose to become one of contemporary architecture's biggest stars. Here, we explore the Japanese master's origins, journey and finest works
-
The Kumagaya House in Saitama is a modest family home subdivided by a soaring interiorThis Kumagaya House is a domestic puzzle box taking the art of the Japanese house to another level as it intersects a minimal interior with exterior spaces, balconies and walkways
-
Shigeru Ban wins 2024 Praemium Imperiale Architecture AwardThe 2024 Praemium Imperiale Architecture Award goes to Japanese architect Shigeru Ban
-
Gulbenkian Foundation's new art centre by Kengo Kuma is light and invitingLisbon's Gulbenkian Foundation reveals its redesign and new contemporary art museum, Centro de Arte Moderna (CAM), by Kengo Kuma with landscape architects VDLA
-
Pace Tokyo is a flowing Sou Fujimoto experience that ‘guides visitors through the space’Art gallery Pace Tokyo, designed by Sou Fujimoto in a Studio Heatherwick development, opens in the Japanese capital
-
How the Arc’teryx Tokyo Creation Centre is all about craft, openness and cross-pollinationArc’teryx launches its Tokyo Creation Centre, a hub for craftsmanship designed by Torafu Architects, embodying the brand's ethos
-
Craft store Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten at Narita airport is an ode to travelThe Japanese homewear and craft store Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten wows with bright interior made of moveable ‘trunks’ by Tokyo-based studio 14sd designs
