UA architects curves pathway through shirasagi museum

UA architects curves pathway through shirasagi museum
all images courtesy of UA architects

the white curving form of this museum by UA architects in utsunomiya, japan, is located on a main thoroughfare between two roads facing north and south. challenging the boundaries of public and private land ownership, it has been a constantly traversed path for over 30 years by the people of the local village. the owner of the site decided to make his art collection open for public display along this route. a 10 meter square study and exhibition room was built from traditional local materials with white, horizontal cladding. drawing people in from the street the structure wraps itself around the site. the minimalist form has a circular, open space where both the surrounding landscape and works on display can be appreciated. framed view shafts cast bold, direct light into the interior. the simple gesture of incorporating movement from the journey into the building, enhances the overall feeling of community in the area.

the entrance to the study and exhibition room faces the middle of the tunnel-like passage

the museum sits on a circular passageway

the structure curves along the road, with the outer wall leading in a circular motion along the passageway

a 10 meter square study and exhibition room was built from traditional local materials with white, horizontal cladding

framed view shafts cast bold, direct light into the interior space

project info:

building type: museum
land area: 464.80 square meters (140.60 square meters)
total floor area: 73.00 square meters (22.08 square meters)
location: utsunomiya shimotahara town 1758-1
design and supervision: shoji oshio + UA Tokyo, utsunomiya Off

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