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Yusuhara Wooden Bridge Museum Red cedar bridge links traditional and contemporary expressions of Asian architecture Kengo Kuma and Associates with files from Neil Carder, Kristel Derkowski and Jay Pabila

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wood design & building ‒ summer 2012

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The Yusuhara Wooden Bridge Museum is a covered gallery and pedestrian bridge that connects a hotel and a spa, which had previously been separated by a cliff and a road. The museum functions not only as a skywalk between the two facilities, but also as accommodations, work and exhibition rooms that cater to artist-in-residence programs.

In order to achieve the 154-ft. span, an innovative system of interlocking beams was developed. Long beams rest above progressively shorter ones, and the entire structure tapers to a point at a slender central column.

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The bridge functions as a gallery and skywalk between a hotel and spa, but also as accommodations and work/exhibition rooms for artist-in-residence programs.

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1. gallery 2. framing pier-1 3. framing pier-2 4. road 5. bridge

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6. central pillar

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7. approach to existing spa

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8. framing pier-3 (EV shaft)

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NORTH-SOUTH SECTION

The intention of the architects was that the building exhibit a harmonious relationship with its forested mountain environment. The use of large-scale steel or concrete elements was avoided in favor of small members of glue-laminated local cedar. In order to achieve its 154-ft. span, an innovative system of interlocking beams was developed by reinterpreting the traditional Japanese cantilever. Long beams rest above progressively shorter ones, and the entire structure tapers to a point at a central steel-cored wooden column. The two skeletal metal towers supporting the bridge on either end merge visually with their wooded surroundings, evoking the impression that the massive structure is balancing on one slender wooden post. The interior of the gallery mimics the exterior in its materiality and poetic exposed structure, forming a space framed by cedar members and a panoramic view of the landscape. The bridge evokes the traditional construction method of “to-kyo” (square framing) employed in Japan and China, which was devised to support the load from the eaves. By repeating this method persistently to the scale of a bridge, it presents a completely new expression of

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architecture while keeping its authentic Asian appearance. The project successfully “bridges” various issues for the town – revitalization of the local culture, urban design, technique for frame construction, application of natural materials into traditional design – with one architectural work. ARCHITECT

Kengo Kuma and Associates STRUCTURE

Katsuo Nakata & Associates U T I L I T I E S, E Q U I P M E N T

Sigma Facility Design CONSTRUCTION

Shimanto Sogo Construction ELECTRICAL

Showa Denki Kogyo P H OTO G R A P H Y

Takumi Ota Photography

wood design & building ‒ summer 2012

WOOD Summer12-59 Final.indd 24

7/25/12 2:35 PM