Takanabe Ninomaru 歷史博物館 by Tomohiro Kaji

Takanabe Ninomaru 歷史博物館 by Tomohiro Kaji is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 A' Design Award 金獎 in 文化遺產設計 Competition Category.

金文化遺產· 2025

Takanabe Ninomaru 歷史博物館

by Tomohiro Kaji

Client: Takanabe Town Hall

A' Design Award 金獎 Winner in 文化遺產 Category

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Colors

The Design

About Takanabe Ninomaru 歷史博物館

高鍋歷史博物館於1986年創立,因展覽過時導致訪客參與度下降而重新構思。重新設計秉承「仁」的哲學理念,將其轉化為培育市民自豪感的文化教育樞紐。透過視覺敘事及空間設計,更新項目引入主題策展、沉浸式展覽,以及象徵歷史延續的分層亞加力板。更名為二之丸歷史博物館後,現已成為連繫文化遺產、教育與社區的互動空間。

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award 金獎

Takanabe Ninomaru 歷史博物館是 A' Design Award 金獎得主，這是授予一流、絕妙而傑出設計的極為崇高的認可。金獎得主是極具創新、極富遠見且璀璨奪目的創作，反映出其設計師的天才、智慧與才幹。預計Takanabe Ninomaru 歷史博物館將成為一項備受讚譽、引領潮流、氣勢恢宏的發明，帶來前所未有的價值。這件贏得 A' Design Award 金獎的設計是一個壯觀而受人敬重的項目，極大地造福並拓展藝術、科學、設計和技術的界限。Takanabe Ninomaru 歷史博物館激起強烈的渴望，喚起激情，鼓勵創造力，令我們著迷。

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)