MINATO CITY Local History Museum

Learn about MINATO CITY through the historical charm of the building and the exhibits

  • Cultural Spaces
  • The former Public Health Institute building, designed by architect Shozo Uchida and completed in 1938, has been renovated into an exhibition space in conjunction with renovation work such as seismic reinforcement and barrier-free access.

    The former Public Health Institute building, designed by architect Shozo Uchida and completed in 1938, has been renovated into an exhibition space in conjunction with renovation work such as seismic reinforcement and barrier-free access.

  • A guidance room introducing the history of MINATO CITY. Patterns extracted from designs found on buildings are expressed in white uneven surfaces on the exhibits.

    A guidance room introducing the history of MINATO CITY. Patterns extracted from designs found on buildings are expressed in white uneven surfaces on the exhibits.

  • The pattern appears not only on the surface of the structure but also on the screen of the information terminal.

    The pattern appears not only on the surface of the structure but also on the screen of the information terminal.

  • Explanations are provided using information terminals, and correspond to changes in exhibits and updates of information. The case and screen of the information terminals are displayed in a pattern that matches the theme.

    Explanations are provided using information terminals, and correspond to changes in exhibits and updates of information. The case and screen of the information terminals are displayed in a pattern that matches the theme.

  • This is an improved version of the old museum's "touchable exhibition room." A communication room where visitors can touch the actual materials.

    This is an improved version of the old museum's "touchable exhibition room." A communication room where visitors can touch the actual materials.

  • MINATO CITY Local History Museum
  • A guidance room introducing the history of MINATO CITY. Patterns extracted from designs found on buildings are expressed in white uneven surfaces on the exhibits.
  • The pattern appears not only on the surface of the structure but also on the screen of the information terminal.
  • Explanations are provided using information terminals, and correspond to changes in exhibits and updates of information. The case and screen of the information terminals are displayed in a pattern that matches the theme.
  • This is an improved version of the old museum's "touchable exhibition room." A communication room where visitors can touch the actual materials.

Photo: Forward Stroke inc.

About the Project

Overview The MINATO CITY Minato Local History Museum has moved to a building with a Gothic exterior and opened as a new local history museum. The permanent exhibits introduce the nature, history, and culture of MINATO CITY through three themes. The museum is a hub for exploring and interacting with MINATO CITY, with a guidance room that explains the origins of Minato MINATO CITY and a communication room where visitors can interact with the museum through materials. Visitors can touch the real thing, such as excavated Jomon pottery and a whale skeleton, and learn using projection mapping and touch panels.
Issues/Themes To preserve the building as a historical structure. To hold exhibitions that utilize the abundant collection of materials and can be changed so that anyone, whenever they visit, can make various discoveries and encounter new attractions. To create a space where visitors can enjoy the exhibits without losing sight of the theme, despite the fact that the exhibition space is fragmented due to the building's structure, which is made up of a series of small rooms.
Space Solution/Realization The exhibition space was designed as a canvas on which visitors can recall the history of the building and the exhibition themes. In contrast to the main building, the fixtures are all white, and patterns derived from the motifs used in the building and the exhibition themes are expressed in white relief. These patterns are also used as background patterns for information terminals and Video. In the exhibition room, which is a succession of small rooms, the repetition of the patterns serves as a guidepost for visitors and a field to expand their imagination. An explanation system that utilizes ICT has been incorporated, allowing staff to easily update information themselves when changing exhibits.
Design for Environment From the perspective of preserving the building itself as a cultural asset, we have retained as much of the existing architecture as possible. To protect the materials, we have installed curtains to block out light on the windows and installed airtight display cases to ensure airtightness.
In addition to the barrier-free architecture, the building also has pathways that are wheelchair accessible, and digital terminals are available to provide explanations for foreign visitors.

Basic Information

Client MINATO CITY
Services Provided Display Planning, Design, Layout, Production, Construction
Our Team Display Planning: Yuki Hashimoto, Yukino Sekimoto
Design, Layout: Hirofumi Doi, Saeko Morikita
Storage Layout: Tansei Research Institute, Hiroyuki Ichinose, Misato Uematsu
Production, Construction: Yoshiyuki Inoue, Masashi Uchiyama, Ren Takahashi
Project Management: Akira Tanuma
Awards "53rd Japan Sign Design Award" Kanto Region Award
Location Tokyo, Japan
Open November 2018
Website https://www.minato-rekishi.com/
Tag
Hirofumi Doi

Design, Layout

Hirofumi Doi

He designs exhibition spaces for archives, museums, etc. He unearths hidden attractions in local areas, elevates them as spatial designs, and delivers excitement.

Main Achievements

Mount Fuji World Heritage Center, Shizuoka Prefecture, Sumida Hokusai Museum, National Museum of Nature and Science Global Gallery, Kabukiza Gallery "Kabuki Beauty Spring", Isahaya City Museum of Art and History, National Museum of Marine Science and Technology, Taiwan, and more

*The shared information and details of the project is accurate as of the date they were posted. There may have been unannounced changes at a later date.

Affiliated companies and solutions

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