Article source: KENGO KUMA & ASSOCIATES

This is a plan to link two public buildings with a bridge-typed facility, which had been long separated by the road in between. The museum technically bridges communications in this area. It functions not only as a passage between the two facilities but also as an accommodation and workshop, ideal location for artist-in-residence programs. In this project, we challenged a structural system which composes of small parts, referring to cantilever structure often employed in traditional architecture in Japan and China. It is a great example of sustainable design, as you can achieve a big cantilever even without large-sized materials.

Image Courtesy © KENGO KUMA & ASSOCIATES

• Architects: KENGO KUMA & ASSOCIATES
• Project: Yusuhara Wooden Bridge Museum
• Location: Kochi Prefecture, Japan
• Client: Tomio Yano, Town Mayor of Yusuhara
• Type of Project: new construction (extension from existing )
• Principal Use: exhibition space
• Design and Supervision: Kengo Kuma & Associates
• Structure: Main structure/wood, partly steel frame, reinforced concrete, Pile or Foundation / Mat and direct foundation
• Number of Stories: 1 underground, 2 stories above
• Site area: 14,736.47㎡
• Built area: 574,15㎡(total with the existing part: 1,946.97㎡)
• Total area: 445.79㎡(total with the existing part: 2,540.23㎡)
• Floor area for each story: B１F：14.85㎡　1F：68.21㎡　2F：342.66㎡
• Height of stories: B1 4,150mm 1F: 9,465mm
• Height of ceilings: B1F(connection part to the hot spring：2,100mm ) B1F (control room): 2,300mm
• 1F: 2,300mm  2F (bridging corridor): 2,758mm 2F (gallery room): 5,056mm 2F (bridge): 3,705mm)

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