Archi-Depot, the only museum in Japan that specializes in architectural models, with a unique attempt of combining “exhibition” and “preservation” has opened at Warehouse Terrada in Tennoz, Tokyo. The museum opened its doors to the public on June 18, aiming to inherit and spread Japanese architectural culture with a focus on architectural models.

Archi-Depot is a museum with a unique concept of “storing and preserving models under the best environment while exhibiting at the same time.” It is proposed by Archi Depot Corporation, an association for Archi-Depot administration, and operated by Warehouse Terrada, a company in Japan providing warehouses for specialized items. Japanese architectures are receiving world’s attention as they have the highest quality both in design and techniques. 

Image courtesy of Archi-Depot

Recently, architectural models are treated and valued as significant archives that pass Japanese architectural culture on to the next generation, and also as artworks. At Archi-Depot, the museum will disseminate architectural models designed by influential Japanese architects including Kengo Kuma, Riken Yamamoto, and Shigeru Ban to students, experts, and visitors from overseas.

Image courtesy of Archi-Depot

Furthermore, the museum will work on spreading education by holding regular activities such as special exhibitions and events, where people including children can consider architectural culture. Through diverse activities related to architectural models, Warehouse Terrada and Archi Depot Corporation are aiming for the new development and archiving of Japanese architectural culture.

Archi-Depot is a facility with a total of 116 shelves inside of an enormous space, which is about 450 m² with ceiling height of 5.2m. It is specially designed to exhibit and preserve architectural models. 

Image courtesy of Archi-Depot

''With the concept of “exhibiting the storehouse itself,” we offer a brand new experience where you can view various models while making an excursion between shelves inside of the museum. On the shelves, various architecture models are lined up all together, from study models to final models,'' said Archi Depot Corporation.

Those are designed by internationally successful architects and architects’ offices. Furthermore, there are panels on each shelf with exhibitors’ names and QR codes. Scanning those codes will enable you to access to the detailed information such as exhibitor’s activities, and completion photos or blueprints of the architecture, etc.''

Image courtesy of Archi-Depot

Image courtesy of Archi-Depot

Image courtesy of Archi-Depot

Image courtesy of Archi-Depot

Image © Toshiyuki Togashi

Image © Toshiyuki Togashi

Image © Toshiyuki Togashi

Image © Toshiyuki Togashi

Image © Toshiyuki Togashi

Image © Toshiyuki Togashi

Image © Toshiyuki Togashi

Top image courtesy of Archi-Depot

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