Kuma’s decision to opt for handmade instead of industrially produced tiles—by far the most challenging aspect of the project considering the vast number required—not only enhances the building’s soulful materiality but also evocatively aligns with the plans for the area’s regeneration as a culture hub for a new generation of ceramists. Moreover, the use of locally sourced tiles underscores the museum’s environmental consciousness, in reducing its carbon footprint while playing an important role in enhancing thermal performance through allowing the structure to regulate internal temperatures naturally.

Featuring wide arched openings that frame views of the adjacent canal, the museum’s undulating structure encourages movement, inviting visitors to pass through, blurring the boundaries between the building and the public plaza it inhabits. Nestled beneath the mu flowing canopy are three distinct volumes—housing the lobby and exhibition hall, a multipurpose events space, and a café—connected by an arched passage lined with bamboo canes. Circular reflecting pools lined with left-over tiles, further enhance the building’s sculptural quality.