Fukui Prefecture Prefectural Dinosaur Museum (New Building)

Strengthening both exhibitions and hospitality to improve visitor satisfaction throughout the year

  • Cultural Spaces
  • The hall features a symbolic monument called the "Dinosaur Tower," which depicts a dinosaur excavated in Fukui and the fault line of the Chatan Formation where the excavation took place.

    The hall features a symbolic monument called the "Dinosaur Tower," which depicts a dinosaur excavated in Fukui and the fault line of the Chatan Formation where the excavation took place.

  • Creating an easy-to-understand entrance by reviewing the sign plan and installing signage

    Creating an easy-to-understand entrance by reviewing the sign plan and installing signage

  • The foyer walls are made of Shakuya stone and cedar wood from Fukui Prefecture.

    The foyer walls are made of Shakuya stone and cedar wood from Fukui Prefecture.

  • The Fossil Research Experience Room offers four experiences that allow you to enjoy the full-scale fossil research process: finding, observing, and examining fossils.

    The Fossil Research Experience Room offers four experiences that allow you to enjoy the full-scale fossil research process: finding, observing, and examining fossils.

  • The dinosaur era in Fukui is presented in a powerful large-scale Video on three screens measuring 16m wide x 9m high.

    The dinosaur era in Fukui is presented in a powerful large-scale Video on three screens measuring 16m wide x 9m high.

  • A kids' space where parents and children can relax. Dinosaur puzzles are set up on the walls, creating a dinosaur-themed play space.

    A kids' space where parents and children can relax. Dinosaur puzzles are set up on the walls, creating a dinosaur-themed play space.

  • The Dino Library is made up of plaster walls that resemble geological strata. Dinosaur-related books, valuable documents, and fossil specimens are on display.

    The Dino Library is made up of plaster walls that resemble geological strata. Dinosaur-related books, valuable documents, and fossil specimens are on display.

  • On the wall of the passageway leading to the main building, a large lenticular print measuring 8m wide (a print that changes the image depending on the angle) will be installed, which will change from a skeleton to a fleshy dinosaur depending on the angle from which it is viewed, creating an experience while moving around.

    On the wall of the passageway leading to the main building, a large lenticular print measuring 8m wide (a print that changes the image depending on the angle) will be installed, which will change from a skeleton to a fleshy dinosaur depending on the angle from which it is viewed, creating an experience while moving around.

  • The restaurant has a glass display case where skeletal specimens can be viewed while dining.

    The restaurant has a glass display case where skeletal specimens can be viewed while dining.

  • Fukui Prefecture Prefectural Dinosaur Museum (New Building)
  • Creating an easy-to-understand entrance by reviewing the sign plan and installing signage
  • The foyer walls are made of Shakuya stone and cedar wood from Fukui Prefecture.
  • The Fossil Research Experience Room offers four experiences that allow you to enjoy the full-scale fossil research process: finding, observing, and examining fossils.
  • The dinosaur era in Fukui is presented in a powerful large-scale Video on three screens measuring 16m wide x 9m high.
  • A kids' space where parents and children can relax. Dinosaur puzzles are set up on the walls, creating a dinosaur-themed play space.
  • The Dino Library is made up of plaster walls that resemble geological strata. Dinosaur-related books, valuable documents, and fossil specimens are on display.
  • On the wall of the passageway leading to the main building, a large lenticular print measuring 8m wide (a print that changes the image depending on the angle) will be installed, which will change from a skeleton to a fleshy dinosaur depending on the angle from which it is viewed, creating an experience while moving around.
  • The restaurant has a glass display case where skeletal specimens can be viewed while dining.

Photo: Nacása & Partners KAWANO Masato

About the Project

Overview The Fukui Prefecture Prefectural Dinosaur Museum is one of the largest in Japan in terms of the number of dinosaur-related exhibits. In line with the opening of the Hokuriku Shinkansen in Fukui in 2024, this expansion and renovation project aims to strengthen the museum's functions and increase visitor satisfaction. We were responsible for the newly constructed library and kids' space in the expanded new building and main building, as well as the connecting corridors, and the exhibition design Display Production & Construction including the overall signage plan.
Issues/Themes In addition to the congestion caused by the concentration of visitors during the summer holidays and Golden Week, the facility is expected to see a further increase in visitors due to the opening of the Hokuriku Shinkansen.We will create new experiences and make improvements to accommodate large numbers of visitors, making it a hub that can be enjoyed regardless of the season.
Space Solution/Realization We improved the hospitality aspect by reviewing the sign plan in conjunction with the expansion of the entrance and lobby, and by establishing a new kids' space, library, etc. Furthermore, we aimed to create a facility that would satisfy visitors at any time by improving its appeal through the provision of experience-based content such as a fossil research experience room that can be enjoyed all year round and Video large three-screen video, and by installing a symbolic monument that symbolizes the museum.
Design for Environment 3R design: In the fossil excavation experience, the amount of waste is reduced by using rubble generated during the actual excavation work.
Energy-saving design: Uses energy-saving, long-life, and highly durable LED lighting.
Cultural property Preservation Planning: In order to accommodate the display and preservation of skeletal specimens and fossils, the glass display cases in the special exhibition room are airtight cases.

Basic Information

Client Fukui Prefecture
Services Provided Exhibition design contractor: Kisho Kurokawa & Associates
Exhibition design, exhibition production and construction: TANSEISHA Co., Ltd.
Our Team Overall Direction: Satoshi Okura
Display Planning: Koichi Shinohara, Makoto Ito
Design, Layout: Satoshi Wabun
Content design: Makiko Nomoto, Takuto Sato
Production, Construction: Daisuke Tahara
Project Management: Yoshiki Morikawa
Location Fukui Prefecture
Open July 2023
Website https://www.dinosaur.pref.fukui.jp/
Tag
Satoshi Okura

Overall Direction

Satoshi Okura

In addition to Commercial Spaces such as large retail stores, bookstores, apparel stores and hotels, they also design event and entertainment spaces such as aquariums and exhibitions. They carry out Design, Layout work utilizing a wide range of specialized knowledge.

Main Achievements

Honda Welcome Plaza Aoyama, Komehyo Nagoya Main Building, Phoenix Seagaia Resort Sheraton Grande Ocean Resort, Weekly Shonen Jump 50th Anniversary Exhibition Vol. 2 - The impact of the 1990s, with a circulation of 6.53 million copies - 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.

Koichi Shinohara

Display Planning

Koichi Shinohara

He is mainly in charge of planning information, experiences, and communication in museums and other cultural facilities, as well as exhibitions at cultural events. In recent years, he has been actively involved in creating spaces on themes that are socially trending both in Japan and overseas, such as nature, the environment, sustainability, and Japanese culture, including manga. He is a part-time lecturer at Shizuoka University.

Wabun Soryu

Design, Layout

Wabun Soryu

After working in specialty stores such as retail stores and restaurants, as well as corporate innovation centers and office design, he is now primarily involved in the design of cultural facilities. By weaving together the points of contact between "things and experiences" and "people," he strives to create spaces and experiences that are captivating and memorable for everyone.