Toyota City Museum, a striking new addition to the cityscape, showcases the architectural vision of renowned architect Shigeru Ban. Situated alongside the existing Toyota Municipal Art Museum, designed by Yoshio Taniguchi, the museum forms a captivating “museum zone.”
The structure, primarilyconstructed from locally sourced cedar, features a distinctive 90-meter-long roof supported by tall, tapered columns.
Ban’s design intentionally complements the existing art museum while maintaining a unique identity. “I wondered if the two sites could be made into a single museum zone, and by deliberately locating the new museum in the optimal position relative to the art museum, I could make it easier for visitors to understand and visit the two facilities and thus produce a synergistic effect,” said Ban.
Words like modernist and organic dance in a delightful contrast when describing the two museums. While the art museum represents modernism’s essence with its metal and glass, the Toyota City Museum stands in proud defiance, embracing wood to gracefully address contemporary environmental concerns.
A glazed facade reveals a spacious interior illuminated by natural light. Tapered, asterisk-shaped columns support the expansive wooden roof, which elegantly extends beyond the glazing to create a sheltered outdoor porch complete with a circular skylight.
The museum’s heart, a naturally lit oval room, houses the permanent exhibition dedicated to Toyota’s history. A curved ramp invites exploration, while glazed walls offer breathtaking views of the surrounding bamboo grove.
The centerpiece, a large glass-covered display rack, not only showcases artifacts but also acts as the building’s earthquake-resistant core. This innovative design ensures both structural stability and an uninterrupted window band along the ramp, framing nature’s beauty outside.
The museum gracefully blends with its surroundings thanks to the work of Peter Walker and Partners, landscape architects who also designed the art museum’s landscape. They removed a line of trees, connecting the two buildings into a single, unbroken garden space.
“The superb landscape continuing from the art museum to the city museum binds together two buildings, representing different periods and styles. There is an art museum of supreme stillness, and a museum that is the source of diverse public activities,” observes Ban.
Time.news Interview: Shigeru Ban and the Future of Museum Architecture
Editor (E): Welcome to Time.news! Today, we’re thrilled to have renowned architect Shigeru Ban, whose latest masterpiece, the Toyota City Museum, is captivating visitors and reshaping the cityscape. Thank you for joining us, Shigeru.
Shigeru Ban (S): Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to discuss the Toyota City Museum with you.
E: Let’s dive right in. The museum occupies a unique space alongside the Toyota Municipal Art Museum, designed by Yoshio Taniguchi. What inspired you to position your design in such proximity to this existing structure?
S: My goal was to create a “museum zone” that fosters a greater connection between the two sites. I believe that when buildings are adjacent and complementary, they can enhance a visitor’s experience. By placing the new museum strategically next to the art museum, I aimed to create a flow that encourages visitors to explore both spaces easily. It was important for me to maintain the unique identity of my design while ensuring it harmonizes with Taniguchi’s vision.
E: The museum features a striking 90-meter-long roof supported by tall, tapered columns. Can you tell us about your choice of materials and how they reflect your architectural philosophy?
S: Absolutely! I chose locally sourced cedar for its aesthetic warmth and sustainability. Using materials that are native to the region not only reduces the carbon footprint but also creates a direct connection between the building and its environment. The tapered columns are designed to evoke a sense of lightness and elegance, creating an inviting atmosphere. The grand roof acts almost like an extension of the landscape, making visitors feel embraced by nature as they approach the museum.
E: In your design philosophy, how do you balance creating a unique identity for your projects while also integrating them within their surrounding context?
S: It’s a delicate balance. I believe architecture should respect its surroundings while still making a statement. For the Toyota City Museum, I aimed to create an architectural dialogue with the existing art museum. I asked myself how the new space could reflect the cultural significance of the area while offering a fresh perspective. My design is intentionally modern yet rooted in its context — it’s about synergy, not competition.
E: You mentioned a “synergistic effect” in your design. Can you share how you envision visitors interacting with both museum spaces?
S: Yes! By designing the new museum in such a way that it is visually and physically accessible, I hope visitors will seamlessly transition between both spaces. My goal is for them to experience a sense of discovery as they explore the collections, exhibitions, and architecture. The layout encourages visitors to meander between the two, discovering connections between the artworks and the architectural styles.
E: As we look to the future, what do you think the role of museums will be in urban environments, especially considering changes in technology and visitor engagement?
S: Museums are evolving into multifunctional spaces that go beyond simply displaying art. They will need to adapt to be dynamic centers for education, community engagement, and cultural exchange. As technology enhances the way we interact with art, I believe that architecture will also need to respond — creating flexible spaces that can host diverse events, workshops, or even digital experiences. Ultimately, museums must be inviting places that foster creativity and learning.
E: Thank you, Shigeru, for your insights on the Toyota City Museum and your vision for the future of museum architecture. It’s clear that your work will leave a lasting impact on the cultural landscape!
S: Thank you for allowing me to share my thoughts. I’m excited to see how visitors will engage with the Toyota City Museum and the broader implications it might have for architectural practice.
E: And we look forward to seeing how your future projects continue to inspire and innovate. Thank you once again for your time!
S: Thank you!