Completed in July 2019 near Tokyo Station, Museum Tower Kyobashi (designed by NIKKEN Sekkei) is a distinctive high-rise that seamlessly integrates office spaces with a museum—the Artizon Museum. As the name suggests, the building’s unique character lies in its cultural fusion: art is not confined to the museum floors alone, but thoughtfully woven throughout the office areas, offering both workers and visitors a chance to encounter art and culture in their daily lives.
One of the building’s key architectural features is its facade, composed of discrete louvers on all four sides. Each louver is formed from six identical components, but their orientation is precisely calculated through computational design to respond optimally to wind and sunlight throughout the year depending on direction. These louvers not only diffuse light and guide airflow, but also preserve a sense of openness and view to the outside—creating a facade that almost seems to “breathe.”

To mark the fifth anniversary of the building’s completion, a commemorative installation was held in the office entrance space. The concept and creative direction were led by NOU Inc., who also oversaw the spatial composition and installation design. The exhibition focuses on the building’s past and future activities, while also highlighting its architectural and functional innovations.

Suspended in the upper space, four large fabric pieces represent the four facades of the building in a sensory and abstract way. Reaching into the 8-meter-high atrium, the floating elements express four concepts—“Curtain of Light,” “Breathing Louvers,” “Guiding Air,” and “Fusion of City and Nature.” Each piece uses a different material and technique, yet the collection remains harmonious. Through programmed motion, each fabric slowly rotates as if breathing, creating subtle air currents and a visual rhythm that echoes the living nature of the architecture itself.

In the lower section of the installation, the building’s journey—its “past” and “future”—is presented alongside detailed architectural information. It explores the future vision of Museum Tower Kyobashi as a hub of creative and cultural activity, guided by the concept Work with Art.

By clearly dividing the upper and lower spatial zones, the installation distinguishes between emotional expression and informative content. The space draws in not only office visitors, but also museum-goers and passersby, becoming an eye-catching and memorable experience within the city.