The Tokyo Art Museum designed by Tadao Ando

The Tokyo Art Museum is located at the south end of the “Ando Street,” a 432 meter-strip in Sengawa area, Western suburb of Tokyo. The street got its nickname as architect Tadao Ando designed a series of buildings in the area in early 2000s. Although it’s a small facility, the museum is the corner stone of the Ando Street with his signature design details. It is a compact and intimate space that allows visitors stay close to artworks.

The exteriors of the Tokyo Art Museum.
Exposed, smooth concrete surfaces are Ando’s signature design detail.
Openings are small but strategically positioned
so that the sunlight can provide critical effects on artworks on display. 

The exhibition at the time of the visit featured Japanese artist Koichi Ebizuka, who chose “water” and “wind” as its theme. Ebizuka says that both water and wind are “moments” as well as “elements,” and can also be “media.” You can feel, perceive or read them. If you are no one, can you finally find “you” through water or wind, when you interact with them? 

Ebizuka’s almost Zen-like philosophy toward nature reminds Ando’s design principles, as he’s always been about the environment that embraced architecture. Ando’s “environment” is not just the elements you can see such as grounds, trees or skies, but also the atmosphere or ambience which are unique to each location and its geographical characteristics. You can feel his philosophy in this museum.

You can see subtle but highly effective sunlight coming through small openings,
augmenting visitors’ art experience.
The high ceilings make otherwise small areas feel fluid.

The Tokyo Art Museum
1-25-1 Sengawacho, Chofu, Tokyo 182-0002
TEL:03-3305-8686

Open: Thursday to Sunday (Closed on Mon, Tue, Wed)
Hours: 11am – 18:30pm
Admission: 500 yen (student discounts available)