Naoshima Island has a few Tadao Ando buildings and this is the latest one. This time, rather than dedicating it to the publishers themselves to be used as a backdrop to their wonderful collections, the museum is solely dedicated to the work of Lee Ufan, a South Korean artists with strong links to Japan.

Very often we hear people talk about collaboration when it comes to buildings but this museum really feels like one from the moment you cross the door... threshold (the door is kept open and is easily mistaken with a metal wall).

From its semi buried setting looking out to the sea, and its layout, designed to display specific pieces... to the textured finishes of the walls , unusual for Ando, which add a sense of detail to the works by the artist . The building encourages reflection and interaction through the experiencing of the spaces.

This time, however, a new dimension has been introduced in the shape of a needle-like sculptural sun-dial which scale responds to the surroundings in a dramatic manner.

From the layout, designed to display specific pieces, to the texture of the walls , unusual for Ando but which adds a watercolour like texture and a sense of detail to the works of the artist .

As part of our on going architectural journey, atelier EURA visited the museum in a recent trip and were truly inspired by both the project and by Ufan's work.

Learn more about the artist at Artsy

Project is public!

Opening hours10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. (Last admittance: 5:30 p.m.) March 1 - September 30 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. (Last admittance: 4:30 p.m.) October 1 - last day of February

How to get there?

Bus: There are buses from Honmura Port to Chichu Art Museum from where it is easy to talk (down the hill). You can also take a bus to Benesse House and walk (up the hill) or take a free shuttle bus to the Lee Ufan Museum.

Other: 2.5 kilometre bicycle ride or walk (40-50 minutes) . To get to Naoshima, you will take a ferry from Uno (you have early morning trains to Uno from Okayama via Chayamachi)