Project
Varve Museum
Nomination
Best Architectural Design for a Museum
About the project
Varve Museum is the world's first museum dedicated to varves that unveils 70,000 years of terrestrial history.
Varves are 0.7 mm-thin bands of sediment deposited annually in glacial lakes.
Objective of the Museum was to showcase both the scenic ancient Lake and the exhibitions generated by it.
We integrated the surrounding landscape, creating a harmonized work of architecture, display and landscape. Illuminated display of 100 shining stripes that adds a scenery to the vast surrounding nature.
The varves samples are mounted between two glass panes and backlit to maximum effect.
It is a preservation technique coated in resin, as well as to visualize the varves.
Varves contributes history study as well as opportunities to learn more about anthropology and paleoclimatology.
We believe we made Varve Museum to be such one-of-a-kind place to go, thanks to the graceful landscape harnessing the roman of land history.
Location
122-12-1 Torihama, Wakasa-cho, Mikatakaminaka-gun, Fukui Prefecture, Japan
Project implemented in
2018
Applicant and authors of the project
Nomura Co., Ltd., is one of Japan’s foremost designers, constructors, operators, and managers of architectural spaces. Our work covers a diverse range of purposes, including commercial complexes, shopping centers, specialty facilities, museums, leisure complexes, event sites, and public spaces.
Other participants
Client — Fukui Prefectural Government
Interior (Exhibit) Designer — NOMURA Co.,Ltd.
Architect — Naito Architect & Associates
Photographer — Kenichi Suzuki