shigeru ban's oita prefectural art museum set to open in japan

shigeru ban’s oita prefectural art museum set to open in japan
image © hiroyuki hirai / courtesy of oita prefectural art museum

on the southern japanese island of kyūshū, work is nearing completion at the site of the shigeru ban-designed ‘oita prefectural art museum‘. the institution, which opens its doors to the public in april 2015, is envisioned as a ‘cultural catalyst’, stimulating interest in a diverse range of creative disciplines, including food, art, ballet and poetry.

glazed panels open to welcome guests inside the institution
image © hiroyuki hirai / courtesy of oita prefectural art museum

the simple 80 meter-long cuboid structure relates in form and scale to neighboring office buildings, while the woven bamboo façades continue inside the design, referencing the area’s close association with the material. at ground floor level, 6 meter glass screens can be folded upwards enabling a direct and fluid transition inside the building. internally, this foyer serves as an expansive area for public congregation where guests can browse the work on display or share a drink at the museum’s café.

a gridshell roof structure spans internal volumes
image © hiroyuki hirai / courtesy of oita prefectural art museum

individual galleries within the program allow for a variety of spatial configurations, complemented with on-site studios for emerging artists and playroom facilities for younger visitors. from an environmental perspective, the scheme incorporates sustainable initiatives, such as the integration of rooftop photovoltaic panels and a utilization of a ground source heat pump.

the woven façade presented to the passing street
image © hiroyuki hirai / courtesy of oita prefectural art museum

construction nearing completion in oita
image courtesy of oita prefectural art museum

the entrance to the new museum
image courtesy of shigeru ban architects

a public square is positioned adjacent to the 80 meter-long structure
image courtesy of shigeru ban architects

glass screens can be folded upwards enabling a direct and fluid transition inside the building
image courtesy of shigeru ban architects

the central foyer at ground floor level
image courtesy of shigeru ban architects

individual galleries within the program allow for a variety of spatial configurations
image courtesy of shigeru ban architects

project model indicating the retractable glazed panels
image courtesy of oita prefectural art museum