SUO / takashi suo to design mountaintop gallery in japan

SUO chosen ahead of fujimoto and ishigami to design mountaintop gallery in japan
(above) winning proposal by SUO / takashi suo
all images courtesy of takamatsu city

japanese architect takashi suo has been chosen ahead of compatriots sou fujimoto and junya ishigami to design a multipurpose facility for the city of takamatsu. the international competition attracted 213 submissions, six of which were chosen to advance to the final stage of the contest. from these entries, a jury that included kazuyo sejima selected the design by SUO (takashi suo’s kyoto-based studio), with sou fujimoto placing second. other proposals from junya ishigami, NAYA architects, happenstance collective, and aief were also considered. to be built on yashima — a 282 meter-tall lava plateau that overlooks the seto inland sea — the scheme will serve as an observatory and local landmark, while also including gallery space for public exhibitions.

SUO’s winning proposal is a hybrid steel and timber structure

SUO’s winning proposal is a hybrid steel and timber structure. the scheme forms an irregularly shaped enclosure with a continuous walkway that surrounds a centrally positioned park. the judging panel praised the design for its originality and lightness, as well as for the way the scheme harmonizes with its surrounding context. however, the jury remained concerned about the amount of exhibition space on offer, and have asked the architect to further develop his initial design.

the scheme forms an irregularly shaped enclosure

despite its ‘outstanding design concept’, sou fujimoto’s proposal (below) raised concerns over safety. this was primarily because visitors must walk on a series of mesh panels elevated meters above the ground. the jury also believed that the proposal was not appropriate for a permanent public building.

overall, the panel observed that not many proposals focused enough on the provision of exhibition space. instead, a great number of the designs invited visitors up to the roof level without detailing relevant accessibility. takashi suo will now refine his proposal before construction work begins.

sou fujimoto’s proposal raised concerns over safety