Takanabe Ninomaru Histoarysk Museum by Tomohiro Kaji

Takanabe Ninomaru Histoarysk Museum by Tomohiro Kaji is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 A' Design Award yn Goud in Kultureel Erfgoed en Kultueryndustry Ûntwerp Competition Category.

GoudKultureel Erfgoed· 2025

Takanabe Ninomaru Histoarysk Museum

by Tomohiro Kaji

Client: Takanabe Town Hall

A' Design Award yn Goud Winner in Kultureel Erfgoed Category

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Colors

The Design

About Takanabe Ninomaru Histoarysk Museum

Takanabe Histoarysk Museum, oprjochte yn 1986, waard opnij betocht om de ôfnimmende besikersbetrokkenheid as gefolch fan ferâldere eksposysjes oan te pakken. It herûntwerp omielde JIN, de filosofy fan woldiedigenheid, en transformearre it ta in kultureel en edukatyf sintrum dat boargertrots befoarderet. Troch fisueel fertellen en romtlik ûntwerp yntrodusearret de fernijing tematyske kuraasche, meislepende eksposysjes, en laachsgewiis acryl panelen dy't histoaryske kontinuïteit symbolisearje. Omneamd ta NINOMARU Histoarysk Museum, tsjinnet it no as in ynteraktive romte wêr't erfgoed, ûnderwiis, en mienskip ferbine.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award yn Goud

Takanabe Ninomaru Histoarysk Museum is in winner fan de A' Design Award yn Goud, in ekstreem prestisjeuze erkenning foar earste-klas, prachtige en treflike ûntwerpen. Goudwinners binne tige ynnovative, fisionêre en glamoureus ferbjusterjende skeppings dy't it sjeny, de wiisheid en de feardigens fan har ûntwerpers wjerspegelje. Fan Takanabe Ninomaru Histoarysk Museum wurdt ferwachte dat it in tige priizge, trendsettende en monumintale útfining is dy't unferlykbere wearde leveret. Dit winnende ûntwerp fan de A' Design Award yn Goud is in spektakulêr, respektearre projekt dat grutte foardielen bringt en de grinzen fan keunst, wittenskip, ûntwerp en technology ferleget. Takanabe Ninomaru Histoarysk Museum makket yntinse gefoelens fan begearte, stekt passy oan, stimulearret kreativiteit en fassinearret ús.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: This design centers on the concept of a history of benevolence, creating a space that visually and intuitively conveys the region's heritage through storytelling. Located on the historic site of Takanabe Castle, the museum was renamed and redesigned as a cultural hub to rediscover the town's uniqueness and foster civic pride. From curation and visual identity to signage and narrative design, the space was fully reimagined to serve as an educational and inspiring environment.
Dimensions & Packaging: Scale:
Site area: 7,763 meter square
Building area: 904.43 meter square
1st floor area: 461.58 meter square
2nd floor area: 442.85 meter square
Tags: historical museum, cultural heritage, exhibition design, storytelling, visual identity, graphic design, spatial design, civic engagement, SDGs
Production Technology: This exhibition uses graphic and spatial design to make history visually engaging. The entrance features a concept display with a tagline, while the first exhibition room includes zoning signs with symbolic designs. The second exhibition presents Takanabe Domain's history, the Meirindo school, and the 7th lord Akizuki Taneshige's SDGs-related policies. At the center, acrylic panels display successive lords and their policies, with a red gradient symbolizing historical continuity.
Design Challenge: The biggest challenge of this project was creating an engaging exhibition with limited historical materials and budget. From a historical and social perspective, extensive document research and discussions with experts were conducted to highlight the region's uniqueness, shaping the exhibition narrative around the culture of human development. As large-scale renovations were not feasible, we utilized graphic and spatial design to create a visually compelling and immersive exhibition.
Research: This study aimed to revitalize a historical museum through design and narrative. The objective was to enhance visitor engagement, promote cultural heritage preservation, and foster civic pride. The methodology included comparative studies of museums and interviews with historians. We introduced content curation and visual solutions. By highlighting the region's unique history of human development, we proposed a narrative-driven exhibition design, enhancing historical understanding.
Inspiration: This project was inspired by the need to revitalize a declining local region by restoring its historical museum. Established in 1986 under the Akizuki domain, the museum's outdated exhibits led to a decline in visitor engagement. With the town's rich history in education and culture, revitalizing its significance was crucial. The goal was to transform the museum into a cultural hub where people can learn, connect, and take pride in their heritage and traditions.
Project Duration: The project began in autumn 2023 in Miyazaki, Japana and finished in December 2024.
Operation Flow: This exhibition utilizes visual storytelling to help visitors intuitively understand the region's history. The layout is designed for a sequential experience, guiding visitors through zoned spaces categorized by theme and era, ensuring a natural flow of information. The design creates an immersive experience where history is learned through narratives, while layered acrylic panels symbolize temporal connections, resulting in a visually engaging and easily comprehensible exhibition.
Image Credits: Illustrations: Tomohiro Kaji
Image #1-#5: Photographer Kai Kanno (Nacasa & Partners)