In this museum, visitors can view a selection of over 650 works selected from the UESHIMA MUSEUM COLLECTION, a collection of contemporary art works by a wide range of artists from Japan and abroad based on the theme of “contemporaneity” and in accordance with a variety of themes.

In transforming a building originally built as a British International School into a museum of contemporary art, we sought to create a functional space that would accommodate contemporary art and projects in a variety of forms and provide viewers with a rich experience of the works, We worked with Mr. Ueshima on the design in dialogue with him. The constraints of the existing architecture and the energy of the works in the collection were a constant source of inspiration for us as we worked on the project.

In response to Ueshima's desire to create vitality in the art scene as a whole through the gathering of people and their interaction, the former school gymnasium was transformed into a hall where large works can be exhibited and events and lectures can be held.

Other ideas included turning a corridor into a long, narrow exhibition room that would fit the experience of video works, using mirrors in a former doctor's office room to enhance the experience of light works, and filling another room with light that would illuminate the works.

Everything from the first basement to the sixth floor has been redesigned as a museum. The top floor is a guest and educational floor with a tea ceremony room and conference room. The third through fifth floors are part of the museum, and can be used as offices. This office space symbolizes the inseparability of Ueshima's business and art.

The entrance to the museum is shared with the office, and office visitors are greeted by the artwork at the entrance. The museum has a large hall on the lower floor as a museum that considers the interaction of people created by art to be important.

The type of exhibition space has a very different character on each floor.
The lower floor is a large one-room exhibition space, the ground floor is a circular exhibition space, and the second floor is a private exhibition space with a number of partitioned rooms.

Ueshima's new creativity has been added to Shibuya Kyoiku Gakuen, and a fusion of art and education has begun. We designed the facade to represent this change.

A semi-transparent wall made of metal mesh as tall as the building was added to the street side entrance. The soft curves are intended to lead people to the entrance. When the sun goes down, it emits light from within and becomes a lantern for the city. The face of the museum was created with operations that are as small as possible compared to the overall volume of the school, and while harmonizing with the school as a whole, it discreetly asserts the museum's presence in the Shibuya district.

This facade changes its appearance depending on the time of day, distance, and perspective. It is a response to the inherent multiplicity of interpretations of art.

Having the museum and offices in one place complicates security and usually results in divided entrances and hallways to separate the flow of people. In addition, as art and education are increasingly integrated, younger generations of students are coming to the museum. Here, the latest network security system has been installed, allowing the museum and office space to coexist.

Security to the exhibition rooms and offices on each floor can be personally adjusted using QR codes issued in advance.