Tadao Ando Unveils Plans For National Museum of Uzbekistan

Summary

• Japanese architect Tadao Ando has unveiled plans for his first Central Asian building, the National Museum of Uzbekistan, set to open in March 2028.
• The museum, located in Tashkent, will feature monumental arches and a central courtyard, serving as a cultural landmark for art exhibitions and public gatherings.

Tadao Ando has unveiled the plans for the new National Museum of Uzbekistan, the Japanese architect’s first-ever building in the Central Asia region. Planned to open in March 2028, the architectural landmark reflects Ando’s monumental minimalism with core inspiration from Uzbekistan’s heritage.

The exterior is characterized by sweeping circular arches, welcoming visitors into a central courtyard surrounded by glass corridors. Together, circular and rectangular volumes evoke Ando’s established architectural style, resulting in a dynamic spatial experience.

In partnership with the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation (ACDF), the museum is planned to be Uzbekistan’s foremost cultural institution, offering visitors an in-depth exploration of the country’s heritage. Situated in the center of Tashkent, the structure provides a contemplative public space and a venue for civic gatherings. The addition of a public library and lecture hall facilitates wider use beyond art exhibitions and museum programming.

German studio Atelier Brückner will collaborate with Ando to envision the exhibition design and conceptualize an immersive visitor experience.  Permanent and temporary exhibitions, artist residencies, and educational initiatives will be geared not only to foreign visitors but also to the country’s young audiences.

The news comes a year after the country announced its inaugural 2025 Bienale in Bukhara. Los Angeles-based curator Diana Campbell has been tasked with curating the first edition, entitled Recipes for Broken Heart.

Click here to view full gallery at Hypebeast