Matsunoyama Natural Science Museum, Niigata Japan

In the lush green rice patties of 新潟 Japan, this rusted Corten steel building by Tekuka Architects stands as a whole and natural object. The meandering tube follows the hill’s topography and then rises into the sky as an observation tower. The 6mm steel plates add to the integrity of the structural steel.At each major turn in the path, a large window connects the inside and outside. Hidden deeper inside, exhibits investigate the local ecosystem.

This area gets up to 5m of snow each year. The materials and views are specifically designed for these conditions. Tekuka described it as a submarine with a periscope. It opened in 2004.

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(scarletgreen
– flickr/creative commons license)

(scarletgreen
– flickr/creative commons license)

(scarletgreen
– flickr/creative commons license)

(scarletgreen
– flickr/creative commons license)

(scarletgreen
– flickr/creative commons license)

(featured image by scarletgreen on flickr/creative commons)