While architecture is best enjoyed when it is in the form of a full-scale building or structure standing in front of you, the architectural models created to help guide the vision of the full-scale projects can provide a certain beauty, as well. And a new museum in Tokyo plans on showcasing the artistic merit found in these small-scale models while also providing a practical benefit to architects working in the spatially challenged city.
Archi-Depot, which claims to be Japan’s only architectural model museum, allows architects to display study maquettes and final design models to the public, Dezeen reports. The studios pay to rent any of the 116 display shelves to place their models, at once displaying their work to the public while also opening up precious space in what are often very cramped offices.
In order to keep the models in pristine condition, the gallery features carefully maintained temperature and humidity conditions and LED lighting to prevent the models from fading or disfiguring.
QR codes next to each model allow visitors to learn more about each project and Archi-Depot encourages the firms to rotate their models every few months to keep the display from growing stale.
Large scale models of Kengo Kuma’s Aix en Provence Conservatory of Music, a university campus by Riken Yamamoto, and a tree-surrounded school by Kazuhiro Kojima and Kazuko Akamatsu are all on display in the museum. Torafu Architects, Klein Dytham Architecture, Nikken Sekkei, and Sandwich also have work on display.
The gallery, which was launched by Warehouse Terrada, opened in June 2016.
Related Stories
Museums | Jul 29, 2019
A new museum debuts inside the Empire State Building
A $165 million, 10,000-sf museum opened on the second floor of the Empire State Building in New York City, completing the second of a four-phase “reimagining” of that building’s observatory experience, which draws four million visitors annually.
Museums | Jul 22, 2019
Berlin’s Museum Island receives its first new building in almost 100 years
David Chipperfield Architects designed the building.
Museums | Jun 28, 2019
OMA unveils design for New Museum's second gallery building
The building is being designed by Office for Metropolitan Architecture/Shohei Shigematsu in collaboration with Cooper Robertson.
Museums | Jun 18, 2019
Frank Lloyd Wright Trust announces new Visitor and Education Center
Architect John Ronan will design the building.
Museums | May 15, 2019
The new Statue of Liberty Museum in New York seeks to educate and inspire
This LEED-Gold building features three exhibit spaces that give visitors more access to and engagement with the statue’s history.
Museums | May 10, 2019
Lincoln Park Zoo announces renovation plans and design for the Kovler Lion House
Construction will begin in fall 2019.
Museums | Feb 27, 2019
Seoul’s Robot Science Museum will be built by robots
Robots will be in charge of jobs such as molding, welding, and polishing metal plates for the museum’s façade, and 3D printing concrete.
Museums | Feb 22, 2019
The National Museum of Qatar takes its design from the desert rose
Jean Nouvel designed the museum.
Museums | Jan 16, 2019
Disused British airfield to become an automotive museum
Foster + Partners is designing the facility.