Benesse House Museum

“The creation of space in architecture is simply the condensation and purification of the power of light” — Tadao Ando

Settled into a hill on the island and almost hidden, the museum is quite deceiving  in scale. Once inside it opens up and expands towards the next valley. I set out to try and transfer of feeling of openness within and convey the connection to the surrounding environment. I also wanted to capture visitors engaging with the art and architecture, letting their guard down momentarily.

“Guests can engage with artworks everywhere they go, digest the experience at leisure in their rooms, and emerge to be inspired by art once more. The Benesse House is a place where people can explore art, nature, architecture, and their thoughts in a multi-layered and synergistic fashion. The complex, intended to blend increasingly into the natural environment of Setonaikai National Park as the years go by, was entirely designed by Tadao Ando. It is meant to be appreciated with the entire body, with long ramps, stairs, and passages to traverse, and with natural light from outside pouring in through apertures, weaving together the indoors and outdoors.” — Benesse Art Site