This open-air museum celebrates the friendship between Japan and the state of Minas Gerais, highlighting both tangible and intangible elements that have forged this bond. The design features a bridge spanning a lake, symbolizing regions, eras, ideologies, and shared ideals. The lake represents the vast seas between nations as well as the historical challenges of conquest and coexistence. Prominent dates appear on the water’s surface, making actions and events visible, while the underwater space symbolizes the realm of unconscious sensations and memories.
The pathway is lined with cherry blossom leaves, a symbol of Japan, while most surrounding trees are white Ipê, native to Minas Gerais. To honor the friendship between Japan and Minas Gerais, the curved walls represent two flags: a red circle and a triangle. This metaphor beautifully encapsulates the shared characteristics of both cultures. Names of Japanese immigrants and Minas Gerais miners who contributed to this collaborative project are engraved in shallow relief on these walls.
The symmetrical bridge design, with its intersecting curves, evokes a sense of unity, continuous flow, and mutual dependence. Through multimedia presentations, visitors can easily engage with stories of openness, grandeur, and friendship throughout their museum experience.
▲ Sketch
▲ Plan, elevation, and section views
Project Information
Project Type: Museum
Location: Bandeirantes (Pampulha), Brazil
Architectural Design: Gustavo Penna Arquiteto e Associados
Area: 500 m²
Year: 2009
Photographer: Jomar Bragança
Chief Architects: Gustavo Penna and Mariza Machado Coelho
Project Team: Ricardo Gomes Lopes, Norberto Bambazzi, Laura Resende Penna de Castro, Letícia Carneiro, Priscilla Dias de Araújo
Artistic Concept: Paulo Pederneiras
Management and Planning: Risia Botrel
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