Naoshima Contemporary Art Museum
Tadao Ando

October 16, 2002 /

Naoshima Island, Japan

Photo: arcspace

The Naoshima Contemporary Art Museum is located on the southern edge of Naoshima island between a high hill covered with deep woods and a promontory of rugged rocks and beach.

Arriving by sea visitors ascend a long staircase that meets the road leading to the museum from town. The Museum entrance is at the end of this deliberately drawn-out approach.

Photo: arcspace

Ando's customary restraint in his selection of materials, and preference for simple forms, blends with the surrounding land and seascape. The composition of the museum main building's plan consists of three overlapping cubes and a circle, with the rectangular guest wing attached at an angle to it. Nature and geometry are expertly united resulting in a serene and tranquil architecture.

Photo: arcspace

Photo: arcspace

The central, double height cylindrical space receives daylight from a conical skylight. The main galleries are placed around the central space. Guest rooms, a restaurant and a large terrace overlook the sea.

Photo: arcspace

The hotel Annex is situated on the highest hill of the entire area. The access from the museum below is by specially built cable car. The Annex hotel rooms form an elliptical building surrounding a similarly elliptical inner courtyard.

Photo: arcspace