tadao ando breaks ground on national museum of uzbekistan

tadao ando’s National Museum of Uzbekistan starts to rise

The groundbreaking ceremony for the National Museum of Uzbekistan is set to take place today, on August 27th, 2025, in Tashkent, marking the start of Tadao Ando’s first large-scale commission in Central Asia. Scheduled to open in March 2028, the new institution is designed to become the country’s leading cultural landmark, conceived as both a civic hub and a gateway connecting the country’s heritage with global artistic exchange.

Previewed at the Uzbekistan Pavilion of Expo 2025 in Osaka, Ando’s design integrates his signature use of clear geometric volumes with spatial references to Uzbekistan’s architectural traditions. The 40,038 square meter building unfolds as a composition of three pure forms, a circle, a square, and a triangle, with exhibition design by German studio Atelier Brückner. ‘By building with these pure forms, I wanted to return to the origins of thought and create a space from which powerful ideas could be sent out into the world,’ shares Tadao Ando. ‘I hope that the Museum will serve as a new center of creative expression directed towards the world.’

renderings by Tadao Ando Architect & Associates, unless stated otherwise

A Home for more than 100,000 Artworks in Tashkent

Located in the heart of Tashkent, between the Abulkasym Madrasa, Istiqlol Art Palace, and the monument to Alisher Navoi, the National Museum of Uzbekistan situates itself in dialogue with the city’s historic fabric and its aspirations for cultural renewal. The project, commissioned by the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation (ACDF), underscores the nation’s ambition to position art and culture at the core of its future identity.

The complex, designed by Japanese architect Tadao Ando, will house over 8,500 square meters of permanent and temporary exhibition halls alongside a public library, lecture hall, education rooms, conservation laboratories, and a multifunctional auditorium. A rooftop terrace and green zone extend the museum’s role into public life, while amenities such as a bookstore and café invite visitors to linger.

The collection itself, one of the largest in Central Asia, numbers more than 100,000 works. Until now, only a fraction, around 2%, could be displayed at any one time. The new building resolves this limitation, providing space for both monumental installations and rotating exhibitions. Visitors will encounter pieces spanning Uzbekistan’s diverse traditions as well as works from East Asia, India, and Europe, many of which have remained unseen until now. ‘The National Museum of Uzbekistan reflects our revitalized cultural potential and serves as a vivid expression of our country’s noble aspirations to create creative spaces that inspire, unite, and set an example for future generations. It will stand as a majestic symbol of the New Uzbekistan, representing its rich heritage and openness to the world,’ notes President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

Tadao Ando’s first large-scale commission in Central Asia