Admiring art, inside art

In Hiroshima Prefecture lies Otake City, once home to a huge petrochemical complex, and until recently, lacking cultural facilities. However, the area now boasts a compound facility as big as Tokyo Dome (46.755m2), housing an art museum, lodging, restaurant, and garden, all located near the sea. It's called "SIMOSE" and all of the buildings were designed by architect Shigeru Ban. The menu is overseen by Takahiko Ozawa, former owner/chef of renowned French restaurant OZAWA in Shirokane, Tokyo.

The facility’s owner is Ms. Yumiko Shimose, current president of Marui Sangyo, a prominent producer of building materials. The core of the museum’s inventory is an art collection compiled by the mother-daughter pair of Shizuko Shimose and Yumiko Shimose. The centerpiece is a combination of glassware by Émile Gallé, modern European and Japanese paintings and a collection of dolls, including traditional Japanese Hina Dolls*.

Five of the ten villas, grouped as Forest Villas, are residential structures designed by Ban, four of which are replicas of previously built architecture, and one which was specifically designed for this site. The remaining five, known as Waterside Villas, are newly constructed, showcasing a rational and decorative use of Kielsteg, a wooden construction material from Austria, which gives a feeling of freedom. Each room has original furniture designed by the architect, and seems to reflect his enthusiasm for the project.

The museum has a lobby with a distinctive tree-like wooden structure, a large exhibition hall, and an exhibition area comprising eight moveable cubes, colored yellow, pink, blue, green and purple. Inside, they are all white cubes measuring 9 square meters. They are placed on a shallow pool of water and can be floated and rearranged. This design is a perfect representation of the museum's concept: admire art, inside art.

Each of these five buildings, as unique as one would expect, allows for overnight stays, offering a firsthand experience of the comfort of a modern Shigeru Ban residence, particularly exciting for architecture fans. Wall-Less House has three sides enclosed by sliding glass doors. Paper House is constructed entirely out of paper tubes, while in Furniture House storage solutions such as closets and bookshelves reside in the walls and pillars that support the ceiling. House of Double Roof features a rooftop terrace with a hot tub and daybed, and Cross Wall House has brightly colored exterior walls that create a striking impression.

SIMOSE is a rare space combining an art gallery, a living museum of modern architecture and a unique local experience. As the complex was only established in March 2023, the trees dotting its vast grounds are also only at the beginning of their lives. Located just a 40-minute drive from downtown Hiroshima, it's easily accessible while still feeling comfortably distant from the hubbub of the city. Stay overnight or make a day trip to admire art inside an art space created by an extraordinary architect.

Throughout the project, I had the task of creating designs for everything from facility naming, VI and signage planning to merchandise development. This allowed me to closely observe Mr. Ban's sense of three-dimensional design. Ban is known for innovative ideas challenging conventional wisdom, and his buildings may, at first glance, appear difficult to live in. Still, many people live quite contentedly in his houses. I am confident that this facility will allow even more people to experience what architectural pleasures are all about.

*Hina dolls are displayed during Girl's Day in Japan in the spring to bring good health and happiness in marriage for girls in the future. They represent the imperial family's wedding ceremony from long ago and protect against negative energy.

2023.10.2