ARCHI-DEPOT to Reopen in March 2025 as Experiential Facility for Architectural Culture

Behind the Renewal
Architectural models are essential for conveying architects’ ideas and design processes. However, their storage poses significant challenges, and the public rarely gets to interact with them. Warehouse TERRADA established ARCHI-DEPOT Museum in 2016 as a response to these challenges and has since worked to store and showcase over 800 architectural models. With this renewal, in addition to traditional displays, a new range of experiential programs will invite visitors to learn and engage with models hands-on. ARCHI-DEPOT aims to offer an environment where visitors of all ages can enjoy and explore, fostering a broader appreciation of architectural culture.

Key Features of the Renewal
– A New Experiential Space
A new permanent exhibit will be introduced to learn the fundamentals of architectural models. Additionally, regular workshops on architectural models and talks by architects and experts will be held, offering a more engaging and in-depth exploration of architectural culture.

– Programs for All Ages
A wide array of programs will be offered, including workshops for children and teenagers and experiential courses for those interested in home design. These programs aim to make architectural culture accessible to a broad audience, from beginners to professionals, through hands-on experiences with models.

The renewed space features a permanent exhibit where visitors can learn the fundamentals of architectural models through explanations and hands-on experiences. A reading area, offering a selection of books on architecture, will also be available. In addition, special exhibits featuring architectural models will be held periodically.
At the entrance of the museum, visitors are welcomed by a structural installation utilizing the unique properties of bamboo. This piece, originally displayed at the 2023 WHAT MUSEUM exhibition “SENSE OF STRUCTURE: The World of Structural Engineering That Designs the Flow of Forces,” was designed by Hirokazu Toki Laboratory at The University of Shiga Prefecture and is titled “Santo Komichi.” The structure was assembled through a participatory workshop involving the public.

Regular workshops utilizing architectural models and guided tours will be offered. The interactive space will feature various activities for visitors of all ages. The museum will also host talks by architects, structural engineers, and other professionals.

This workshop explores the fascinating geometry of polyhedra, which is widely utilized in everything from molecular structures to architecture. Through cutting-edge AR and VR technologies, participants will actively construct large polyhedral structures utilizing wood and metal components, learning about structural engineering and the joy of creation.

Dates: Late July 2025
Instructor: Naoto Tamura (Structural & Digital Engineer, CEO of Lambda Digital Engineering)
Registration Opens: June 2025
Capacity: 20 participants per session (Two sessions total, first-come, first-served basis)
Official Website: https://what.warehouseofart.org/events/structurral_workshop1

* The English titles above are provisional and subject to change.

WHAT MUSEUM’s ARCHI DEPOT, holding over 800 architectural models from architects and architecture firms, showcases a selection on public display. It also hosts special exhibitions, workshops, and events featuring architectural models.

Location: WHAT MUSEUM ARCHI-DEPOT (Warehouse TERRADA G Building, 2-6-10 Higashi-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 140-0002)
Open Hours: Tuesday – Sunday, 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Admission until 5:00 PM)
Closed on: Mondays (but open when Monday is a public holiday, then closed the following Tuesday), and New Year’s holidays
Admission: Adults 900 yen / University or vocational college students 700 yen / Junior and senior high school students 500 yen / Children under elementary school age Free
Tickets should be purchased online in advance (with a specified date and time). If they are not sold out, same-day tickets may be available at the door.