Karuizawa Museum Complex

CONCEPT

The inspiration came from ORIGAMI, the well-known Japanese paper craft technique, which I united with the nature found in the site of Yatsugatake mountain area in Nagano. Since the facility is located next to the world famous Japanese artist/painter's museum, I wanted to harmonize Japanese traditional element and Japanese modern aspect and create an unique architecture.

I totally wanted to differenciate my work from the museum designed with lots of curves; I used straight lines to make a significant contrast, while showing its originality, but still, I think my work has a well-balance with the museum.

I would say developing ORIGAMI object to a real architectue has been a big challenge; at first, I created objects from paper with ORIGAMI technique, then I developed the structure to a real architectual one by playing with different triangler parts.

International Cultural College Foundation

Construction: Sasazawa Construction