Nezu Museum Architecture: Indefinite Space

The architecture of the Nezu Museum interprets the non-dualistic thinking in Zen philosophy. The spatial quality helps you to observe things as they are. The Nezu Museum architecture design is a way to perform Indefinite Space, or “Ma” (間) in traditional Japanese architecture, with modern materials and new construction methods. The indefinite spaces bridge conflicting elements while blurring their boundaries. With indefinite spaces, you experience unity and feel more connected to the built environment. 

Duality vs Non-Duality

Before we jump into the Nezu museum architecture, let’s talk about the Zen philosophy and its architectural applications a little bit.

Busy urban residents are often susceptible to dualistic thought patterns, exacerbated by the modern-day challenges of intense competition, overwhelming sensory stimuli, pervasive feelings of isolation, and the inundation of polarizing discourse from various ideologies. This environment fosters a heightened fixation on conflicts, leading to increased mental strain and emotional turmoil. In the 21st century, the rise of information overload further complicates matters, inundating individuals with vast amounts of data, making it increasingly difficult to discern appropriate actions and exacerbating the conflicts caused by dualistic thinking.

Zen Buddhism offers an alternative approach, advocating for the transcendence of dualistic thought and the embrace of a more holistic, non-dual perspective, guided by its principles below:

• Unity: Non-dualistic thinking recognizes the interconnectedness and inherent unity of all things, understanding that distinctions and separations are often arbitrary or illusory.

• Acceptance: Non-dualistic thinking involves accepting reality as it is, without judgment or attachment to fixed concepts or labels.

• Interconnectedness: Non-dualistic thinking acknowledges the interdependence of all phenomena, recognizing that every action has ripple effects and impacts the whole.

• Transcendence: Non-dualistic thinking transcends dualistic categories and opposites, seeking to reconcile apparent contradictions and find deeper truths beyond superficial appearances.

• Compassion: Non-dualistic thinking fosters empathy and compassion towards oneself and others, recognizing the shared humanity and interconnectedness of all beings.

• Awareness: Non-dualistic thinking involves cultivating awareness and mindfulness, observing thoughts, emotions, and experiences without identifying with them or being controlled by them.

These principles are also the essential reasons why mindfulness meditation has become so popular in the west, especially for those living a busy life. Just like psychologist Tara Brach said “By cultivating non-dual awareness, we become less reactive to the fluctuations of the mind and more anchored in the spaciousness of our true nature. This shift in perspective is the foundation of lasting mental well-being.”

Architectural Principles that Promote Non-Dualistic Thinking

Architectural designs that incorporate principles of non-dualistic thinking often aim to create spaces that blur the boundaries between different elements, promote harmony, and evoke a sense of unity and interconnectedness. Some examples include:

Blurred Connections: Spaces that flow seamlessly from one area to another without fixed and clear divisions, fostering a sense of unity and interconnectedness.

Integration with Natural Elements: Designs that integrate natural elements such as light, water, greenery into the built environment, further blurring the distinction between indoor and outdoor spaces.

Simplicity: Architectural styles that emphasize simplicity, clean lines, and the elimination of unnecessary ornamentation, allowing you to let go of thoughts unrelated to the present moment. 

Non-defined Space: Such as an engawa, reflecting the idea of non-duality by reducing the distinction between form and function.

Biophilic Design: Incorporating natural materials, patterns, and textures into architectural elements to evoke a connection with nature and promote well-being.

How Nezu Museum Architecture Transcends Dualistic Thinking

The architectural design of the Nezu Museum transcends dualistic perspectives by dissolving the distinction between typically distinct elements such as the building and the natural surroundings. This intentional fusion fosters an immersive experience that encourages a non-dualistic mind to approach both its space and exhibited art. Let’s delve deeper into each distinctive feature.

Blurred Connections:

The design architect Kengo Kuma says: “I wanted the new museum to be linked naturally with its surroundings by the shade from the gentle slope of the roof. Shadows link buildings to the ground and give comfort to the architecture and warmth to the city.”

The architectural design for the Nezu Museum incorporates expansive, minimally articulated roofs that blur the boundary between indoor and outdoor spaces, echoing traditional Japanese architecture where overhanging eaves shelter and shade, such as an engawa in a traditional Japanese house. This integration with nature fosters a sense of unity and interconnectedness, dissolving the distinction between the built environment and the natural world.

A good example in the detail is its column configuration, which supports the glass facade of the main exhibition area. The columns are designed as long rectangles. The short side of the columns is placed against the interior/exterior side of the space. This arrangement ensures that when viewed from a perpendicular angle to the facade, such as toward the garden, the columns appear slender and unobtrusive. Additionally, the columns are painted in dark hue, and the black recessed ceiling grids align with the their spacing, which emphasizes the directionality and further minimizes their visual presence. Rather than being directly connected to the columns, the glazing is set slightly apart, creating a blurred transition that diverges from the typical exterior glazed wall.  In this way, an elegant column detail provides a more integrated experience with the surrounding environment.

Expanded Transitional Space:

Visitors are guided through an entry pathway (engawa) that leads from the bustling city streets to the tranquil museum entrance, fostering a shift from the distractions of urban life to a space conducive to contemplation and appreciation of art. This deliberate journey conducts a mindful introspection before entering the museum.

This unusually long entry pathway invites you to pause and experience the spatial qualities. You may find it hard to resist the temptation to take a picture or selfie while you enter this bamboo and stone mixed tunnel. The bustling mind from the outside busy city settles more and more with each step you walk by.

Simplicity and Modesty:

The design embraces simplicity and understatement, drawing inspirations from traditional Japanese architecture. The clean lines and unadorned surfaces of the museum’s finishes and structure exemplify this principle, allowing you to pay attention to geometric forms and subtle textures.

Materiality:

Kuma’s use of materials such as bamboo panels and gray Chinese stone creates a harmonious dialogue between the built environment and the surrounding landscape, reinforcing a sense of unity and interconnectedness. The natural elements used in the project reflect biophilic principles as well.

In the Nezu cafe, Kuma uses a translucent material on the ceiling which resembles refined Japanese shoji paper. With parts of the roof glazed, the result is an interplay between light and shadows of the surrounding trees. Being inside the cafe, you feel connected with nature not only through the glazed facade, but also through the silhouette of trees dances across the ceiling.

Indefinite Space:

An indefinite space in architecture transcends conventional boundaries, blurring the lines between traditionally distinct elements. Within the Nezu museum, these indefinite spaces manifest in various forms, from the entry pathway to the Nezu cafe, the engawa, and the facade of the main exhibition space. Each of these spaces challenges visitors to perceive their surroundings with a sense of fluidity and openness, encouraging them to engage with the architectural environment from multiple perspectives. By embracing this concept of “ma” (間), or the interval between objects, these spaces prompt individuals to move beyond binary distinctions and rigid thought frameworks, fostering a more nuanced understanding of spatial relationships and architectural design.

This departure from conventional dichotomies holds the potential to liberate our thinking from the constraints of dualistic perspectives. As visitors navigate through these indefinite spaces, they are invited to transcend fixed notions of inside and outside, public and private, and past and present. Instead, they are encouraged to embrace a more holistic view of the built environment, where boundaries become permeable and distinctions become less rigid. In this way, indefinite spaces not only redefine the physical parameters of architecture but also expand the boundaries of our perception, offering a glimpse into a more interconnected and harmonious understanding of space, and potentially ourselves as well.

Books on Kengo Kuma’s Works:

Kuma: Complete Works 1988-Today

By Kengo Kuma & Philip Jodidio

September 23, 2021

Published by Thames & Hudson

Multilingual Edition Hardcover

Kengo Kuma: Complete Works: Expanded Edition

By Kengo Kuma & Kenneth Frampton

October 9, 2018

Published by Thames & Hudson

Hardcover

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