Tomihiro Museum of Shi-Ga, Gunma Prefecture, Japan

The concept for the Tomihiro Museum has been inspired by the natural beauty surrounding Azuma Village and its impact on the artist and his work. To create a framework for displaying Tomihiro’s work, the museum envisions a special relationship between visitors and the environment outdoors. The design draws a parallel between the sudden change in Tomihiro’s lifestyle, its impact on him and his art, and the alteration of the natural land formation of the surrounding hills. The roof form restores the now flattened site and “heals” it by taking in an organic form. Overlaid with sod, the roof form is manipulated in a manner that reflects and extends the topography. In turn, the gravity-bound roof becomes a light, airy and reflective ceiling to the interior, with a layering of glass and solid walls that draw attention to the poetic readings of landscape and the naturalistic aspect of Tomihiro’s work.