Architecture Exploration 08: Why the #1 Museum in the Country Feels Like a Park—3 Design Features of the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa

The 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa. I'm sure many of you have been there. But if someone asks, "What's so great about it?", you might find it surprisingly hard to answer.
"It was pretty," "It was circular," "It was crowded"...
That may be true, but perhaps it's not widely known what exactly was so revolutionary about it from an architectural standpoint.

In this article, I will explain what makes this popular tourist destination so impressive as a piece of architecture through three specific design features.
I hope this helps you think, "Oh, I see!" during your next visit.

What you will learn from this article

・The architectural reasons why 2 million people visit annually
・3 design features that make a museum feel like a "park"
・Ways to enjoy the architecture that you should try on your next visit
・What "not looking up," "no entrance," and "white" signify
・Why this building is so beloved

"Wait, this is a museum, right?"
First-time visitors to the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art might think exactly that.

Children run around on the white floors as if they were running on grass. Couples sit directly on the floor to chat instead of using benches. Elderly people rest idly, looking at nothing in particular.
Even though it's a museum, no one feels like they have to "be quiet."

This museum is actually top-class in the country.
In fiscal year 2015, it ranked first in visitor numbers among museums nationwide. More than 2 million people visit annually, and even now, over 20 years since its opening in 2004, it continues to be featured as a staple of Kanazawa tourism. The total number of visitors has exceeded 25 million.

The goal at the time of opening was 300,000 visitors per year. In reality, it has continued to hit numbers nearly seven times that.
Why is it so beloved?

What does it mean to be "like a park"?

It was designed by Kazuyo Sejima + Ryue Nishizawa / SANAA.
Sejima-san calls this architecture "architecture like a park."
"A place where people of various ages can be at the same time. Each person spends their own time while creating the space together."

It has a very pleasant ring to it.
But if you think about it carefully, isn't it strange?

If they are so different, why can we call it "like a park"?
Do you think it's sophistry? But when you actually visit, it really is like a park.
The secret lies in three design features.

Feature 1: Low ceilings—Architecture you don't look up at

When you enter the 21st Century Museum, you get a strange sensation.
"Wait? Isn't the building low?"
That's right. In this architecture, you don't look up.

Ordinary museums have high ceilings, don't they? You naturally look up. There's a solemn atmosphere. The building conveys the message, "This is a special place." (That also contributes to a sense of exclusivity.)
They often have grand, high-ceilinged entrances.

But the 21st Century Museum is different. The ceiling height is about 4 meters. There are no grand atriums. You can face the building at eye level. "Aligning your eye level" has a relaxing effect. This is one of the secrets to its approachability.

It is also interesting that the building is low yet expansive. It is a circle with a diameter of 113 meters. If you look only at the circular part, it looks as flat as a coin. The distance allows you to stroll freely. It feels like walking through a park.

Try this next time you visit. If you look up at the ceiling, you will notice, "Oh, it's low." And you will be surprised at how comfortable that low height feels.

Feature 2: There is no entrance—the joy of getting lost

There is another strange thing.
"Where is the entrance?"
First-time visitors usually get lost. I also walked aimlessly from a nearby park and realized I had arrived in front of an entrance. There is no feeling of "I'm going in now!"

Actually, you can enter from anywhere.
The building is circular. Therefore, there is no "front." From the north, south, east, or west—anywhere you enter is the right way.

In a normal art museum, you enter through the main entrance. Then you view the exhibits following a set path. You are guided with "Please come this way," and before you know it, you are at the exit.

But the 21st Century Museum is different. The route is also free. You can walk however you like.

You can walk naturally, as if strolling through the building. It feels like wandering around town. There are several courtyards, each showing a different expression.

You are not being made to walk by the building; you walk on your own. This difference creates a comfort that feels like a park.

Feature 3: Everything is white—the magic of the building disappearing

When walking through the 21st Century Museum, you notice something.
"Everything is white, somehow."
The floors, walls, ceilings, and exterior walls—everything is white.

No matter where you look, it is white. The outside and inside are the same white. That is why you cannot tell at a glance, "This is the entrance hall" or "This is the exhibition room." (Strictly speaking, the floor is gray.)

Why is it so white?

Actually, this is the third feature. It is so the building does not become the main attraction.
Because it is a simple white background, people's activities stand out. The sight of children running, couples talking, and elderly people resting. These things stand out vividly.

Sejima-san says: "The building doesn't assert itself too much, allowing people's activities to appear more vibrant."

By the building taking a step back, people become the protagonists. This is the meaning of the white space.

Incidentally, the exhibition rooms are called white cubes, which are white spaces designed to highlight the artwork, but here, not only the exhibition rooms but every room is a white room. There is no disparity, such as spending more money because it's an entrance or making it cheaper because it's a service entrance. Because you don't know which room is which, you can enter any room with a flat, relaxed state of mind.

That's why everyone comes here.

What do you think of these three design features?

・Low: No need to look up, approachable
・From anywhere: Walk freely, the joy of getting lost
・White: The building disappears, people are the protagonists

When these are combined, the building does not assert itself, and people can relax.
That's why it's like a park.
That's why everyone comes here.

2 million visitors a year. Even more than 20 years after opening, the reason it continues to be loved is right here.

Side note
I heard from an architecture professional before that the curved glass used on the exterior is eye-poppingly expensive. I heard a rough price, but since there is no information about it online, I will refrain from mentioning it.
This glass, which is slightly curved and has a large surface area, is a crystallization of technical skill. Please take a look and appreciate the many engineers who made it possible.

Next time you visit Kanazawa

Next time you visit the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa, please try these three things.

1. Try looking up at the ceiling
You will surely notice, "Oh, it's low." You can experience the wonder of a building that doesn't make you look up.

2. Try entering from an unusual direction
You will be surprised that you can enter from anywhere. You can enjoy the fun of getting lost.

3. Try sitting on the floor
You will realize that even though it's an art museum, you can sit down just like in a park. You can experience a space where you can relax.

And then, look around you.
Children running around. Couples sitting down. Elderly people resting idly.
You will realize that everything was a design feature meant to make you the protagonist.

Related articles
The perspective of "not looking up" has other effects as well. I recently wrote about whether "cute architecture" is possible, so please take a look at that too.

Other works by Kazuyo Sejima can be found below. I wrote about my surprise at seeing architecture that looked like glass stuck to a mountain for the first time!

Regarding the Teshima Art Museum designed by Ryue Nishizawa. I have been there four times so far, and I am moved every single time.