Matsumoto City Museum / KUME SEKKEI Co.

The site faces “Daimyo-cho Street” to the east, the north-south street leading to Matsumoto Castle and “Dotekoji Street” to the south, and on the southeast side is “Masugata” Ruins Square, the entrance to the castle. With the future revitalization of the square in mind, the museum was designed as an open-faced entrance that welcomes people. In accordance with the policy, the exterior is covered with a roof, and the roof on the Daimyo-cho street side has been lowered to lead and connect with the future urban development of the street. A showcase, “window gallery” was set up along Dotekoji Street, allowing the museum’s activities and Matsumoto’s culture to be communicated to the city every day.

Behind the window gallery are various communication and activity rooms, a shop, a cafe, etc., making the first floor an open and user-friendly floor, while the museum’s core functions of collecting, storing and displaying materials are located on the second floor and above.

To maximize the space of the exhibition halls within the height limit of 18m, the rooms have an exposed structure without a false ceiling, with floor air conditioning through ducts mounted on the PC beams. This exposed structure supporting its roof on the third floor is a folded plate structure made of 6 mm thick steel plates with a span of 18 m, which reflects the beauty of the Northern Alps and the traditional folk art of “Matsumoto Temari”.

Serpentine staircases start from the grand staircase and lead visitors through an open space to the exhibition halls. The walkway was designed to have a distinctive “Masugata” shape at the entrance to the castle and to have an affinity with the mountain town of Matsumoto.

The goal is to create a living museum that teaches and transmits the culture and history of Matsumoto and encourages new discoveries and activities.