Osaka, Japan—The design of the Osaka New Museum of Art presents the opportunity to implement a fundamentally new museum typology, one which connects flows within the museum with public spaces outside. Specifically, the museum is reimagined as an elevated platform, linked by a series of public art and event plazas that are open 24 hours per day. This sectional maneuver not only enhances the New Museum’s relationship with the nearby National Museum of Osaka, but importantly connects both with Osaka’s riverfront esplanade, the Osaka University campus, and the larger cultural district.

At the heart of the Osaka New Museum is the spectacular Passage Crystal—a covered outdoor atrium—serving as the symbolic center of the museum as well as a functional nexus of flows for the general public, museum goers, and service functions of the museum. Approaching the museum from the public art and event plazas, a gently descending public street distributes into the museum’s library, café, shop, and auditorium. Those approaching the museum from the riverfront esplanade ascend a green embankment under the museum, which houses a café overlooking the river.

The public outdoor roof plazas also serve as forecourts to the museum gallery spaces within. All gallery spaces are on one level, maximizing curatorial flexibility. The museum also has the option of temporarily closing off public access to the roof plaza above the galleries for extending indoor exhibitions outdoors or for hosting private events.

Finalist, International Competition

Principals: Jesse Reiser and Nanako Umemoto

Design Team: Michael Overby, Hilary Simon, Ryosuke Imaeda, Jasmine Lee

Interns and assistants: Masato Kato, Seohee Lee, Taylor Fulton, Seika Kawase, Jose Gutierrez

Structural engineer: Brian Markham, ARUP New York

Museum Consultant: Garbers & James

Mechanical Engineer and Cost Estimation: Azusa Sekkei Co.