Toyo Ito Museum of Architecture
Steel Hut & Silver Hut
Imabari, Japan
The museum is located on a hilly site overlooking the Seto Inland Sea in the southwest of Omishima, a small island blessed with abundant nature with its orange groves and beautiful sunsets.
Photo: Iwan Baan
The project consists of two buildings named “Steel Hut” for the exhibition of Ito’s works and “Silver Hut”, a reenactment of his own house for workshop activities and events. “Steel Hut” is situated on the ridge part of a hilly site, “Silver Hut” on the valley part of the land.
Photo: Iwan Baan
During the early stages of “Steel Hut” the architects generated forms of architecture that were related to the undulating ground. After various studies, the proposal developed into a geometric structure which is independent from its surrounding landscape. Four types of 3m-sided polyhedron modules, which can be freely assembled and closely packed, were used to create this building.
Photo: Iwan Baan
Photo: Iwan Baan
Photo: Iwan Baan
Photo: Iwan Baan
Photo: Iwan Baan
Each unit has two kinds of wall slant angles. Consequently, there are no clear definite planes for ceilings, walls or floors. The space has a centripetal quality that creates an experience similar to being within a sphere.
Photo: Iwan Baan
Photo: Iwan Baan
Photo: Iwan Baan
When visitors move from one room to another, the inclined walls unfold panoramically. This unique quality of the space enables unusual ways of exhibition completely different from the orthodox exhibition space based on a standard grid.
Drawing courtesy Toyo Ito & Associates
Diagram
Drawing courtesy Toyo Ito & Associates
First Floor Plan
Drawing courtesy Toyo Ito & Associates
Second Floor Plan
Drawing courtesy Toyo Ito & Associates
Third Floor Plan
Drawing courtesy Toyo Ito & Associates
Sections
“Silver Hut” was constructed on the valley part of the land structurally employing the has the same methodology as the original private house. The arch-like roof made from rhombic frames is bridged over beams placed on concrete pillars set at 3.6m intervals.
Photo: Iwan Baan
Photo: Iwan Baan
Photo: Iwan Baan
In this building, there are three main spaces - an archive space for visitors to review architectural drawings of approximately 90 works of Toyo Ito, an outdoor workshop space and a space with furniture designed by Teruaki Ohashi and used in the original “Silver Hut”. The outdoor workshop space with roof is a comfortable place with adequate wind flows, and it can be used not only for workshops with local people but also as a relaxation spot for visitors to freely enjoy and look at the sea.
Photo: Iwan Baan
Photo: Iwan Baan
Photo: Iwan Baan
Photo: Iwan Baan
Photo: Iwan Baan
On the exterior of the museum, there are three pieces of steel architectural models on display as well as a warehouse named “Timber Hut.” Visitors can stroll and appreciate them in the garden.
Drawing courtesy Toyo Ito & Associates
Diagram
Drawing courtesy Toyo Ito & Associates
First Floor Plan
Drawing courtesy Toyo Ito & Associates
Second Floor Plan
Drawing courtesy Toyo Ito & Associates
Sections
The opening exhibition “A see-worthy vessel”, at the “Steel Hut,” will be on view through 2011.
Site Area: 6,295.36 square meters
Steel Hut
Building Area: 194.92 square meters
Total Floor Area: 168.99 square meters
Silver Hut
Building Area: 168.32 square meters
Total Floor Area: 188.32 square meters
Completed: 2011
Client: Imabari City
Architects: Toyo Ito & Associates
Structural Engineers (Steel Hut):
SSC/ Sasaki Structural Consultants
Structural Engineers (Silver Hut): O.R.S.office
Mechanical Engineers: ES Associates Co., Ltd.,
Ohtaki E＆M Consulting Office Co., Ltd.
General contractors: Taisei Corporation
December 12, 2011
