katsuhiko endo architect & associates carves a museum in osaka from an all-black volume

‘a museum like a city’

katsuhiko endo architect and associates has built the nakanoshima museum of art, osaka (NAKKA), japan as an all-black volume that’s carved out internally. the design concept draws reference from the idea of ‘a museum like a city’, where various people and activities intersect. a three-dimensional hollow path in the museum generates large exhibition rooms and atrium areas, designed to encourage meaningful interaction with art. 

all images by hiroshi ueda

an open urban space for inspiration and relaxation 

according to katsuhiko endo architect and associates (find more here), the nakanoshima museum of art, osaka (NAKKA) is an ‘urban space’ that one can easily visit to learn, relax, enjoy, and be inspired. the structure takes shape as an impressive black volume hollowed out by a three-dimensionally planned internal ‘passage’ leading towards exhibition rooms, and large atrium spaces. the ‘passage’, which was planned together with the lawn plaza, will welcome people as a lively public space, day and night.　

the main entrance of the building will be located on the second floor, and the exhibition room will be accessed by an escalator that runs through the passage. the permanent exhibition room and the special exhibition room are planned on the fourth and fifth floors, respectively. in addition, cafes and restaurants are also integrated within the layout, as well as an open terrace with a rich planting zone which will create a lively atmosphere in the surrounding public space. ‘we expect that it will create a bustling city and bring a new flow of people to nakanoshima,’ the architects share. 

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project info:

name: nakanoshima museum of art, osaka (NAKKA)

architects: katsuhiko endo architect and associates
location: osaka, japan
site area: 12,870.54 sqm
building area: 6,680.56 sqm
total floor area: 20,012.43 sqm
photography: hiroshi ueda