Fukuoka Art Museum Renewal

Fukuoka, Japan / 2019

The Fukuoka Art Museum was designed by Kunio Maekawa (1905-1986), a master of modern Japanese architecture. The museum had become obsolete over the many years since its opening in 1979, and so in 2016 the museumʼs renovation was begun. Following the premise of Kunio Maekawa's architectural design, long-term studies were performed, and many new constructions begun in order to fully renew not only the exhibition spaces, but also the various lecture rooms and amenity facilities. Finally, the museum re-opened in March 2019. Regarding the lighting plan, the lighting environment was renovated to be integrated with the architecture. The lighting guides visitors along the new flow of human traffic naturally and effectively. Also, the plan emphasizes Maekawaʼs unique architectural spaces, such as the outdoor plaza “Esplanade” on the second floor, the reddish-brown porcelain tile walls, and continuous arched eaves. Lighting fixtures for the entrance lobby were left unchanged from how they were when the museum originally opened, the only difference being a switch to LEDs.