Another day, another fantastic museum in Roppongi – 21_21 DESIGN SIGHT sits in an unassuming corner of the up-market Tokyo Midtown (東京ミッドタウン) complex and was conceived by fashion designer Issey Miyake (三宅 一生) and architect Tadao Ando (安藤 忠雄).
![21_21 DESIGN SIGHT](https://randomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/flickr_backup/9409241996_c67ce914bc_b.jpg)
It’s hard to describe the building, such are its tardis-like dimensions, but it basically consists of two floors – one above and one below ground.
![Triangles](https://randomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/flickr_backup/9406478213_f7c01ca1a9_b.jpg)
The unique triangular roof is made from giant steel plates that slope gently down to the ground, hiding the larger structure buried beneath it.
![Design Museum](https://randomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/flickr_backup/9406483597_b31652a29a_b.jpg)
![21_21](https://randomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/flickr_backup/9406483085_2ae9f72c6b_b.jpg)
Its aesthetics are beautifully simple and uniquely Japanese, once again proving that they are the masters of making concrete look good.
![Artificial Wind](https://randomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/flickr_backup/9409237130_e837ef393a_b.jpg)
Inside, the ground floor houses the entrance and reception area, while the underground floor houses two galleries and a triangular sunken court.
![Narrow Light](https://randomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/flickr_backup/9409239664_f03ee108c1_b.jpg)
At ground level, a narrow slit in the concrete wall allows for a glimpse of the pathway running parallel to the building while on the opposite side a huge glazed window lets light into the underground level via a sunken outdoor courtyard.
![Glass Expanse](https://randomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/flickr_backup/9409239164_1dd0a4ff6a_b.jpg)
The name “21_21 DESIGN SIGHT” is a play on the English expression “20/20 vision” for perfect sight, hinting at the need to look beyond the here and now to the future in the design process.
![Concrete Stairway](https://randomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/flickr_backup/9406480371_b8012f8a34_b.jpg)
Neat stacking chairs.
![Future Colours](https://randomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/flickr_backup/9409238694_80d234cc11_b.jpg)
Currently, the museum is hosting an excellent exhibition “COLOR-HUNTING” directed by Dai Fujiwara – well worth a visit.
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