Sendai Mediatheque, Media library and art gallery in Aoba-ku, Sendai, Japan
This structure encompasses seven floors within a transparent glass cube supported by thirteen metal tubes that simultaneously function as columns and service conduits. The open architecture allows visual connections between all levels through the continuous vertical elements.
Toyo Ito won the architectural competition for this building in 1995, with construction completing on January 26, 2001. The project marked a significant moment in contemporary Japanese architecture through its experimental approach to public cultural facilities.
This institution combines traditional library services with digital resources while providing public spaces for collaborative learning, art exhibitions and community gatherings. It serves as a central meeting point for citizens of all ages in Sendai.
The ground floor houses a cafe and bookstore, while upper floors contain specialized areas including a children's library, cinema and meeting rooms. The facility is easily accessible by public transport from Sendai Station and provides barrier-free access throughout.
The building withstood the 2011 earthquake with minimal damage thanks to its innovative structural system of flexible steel lattice columns. This resilience led to international recognition of the seismic design principles and influenced subsequent projects in earthquake-prone regions worldwide.
Location: Aoba-ku
Location: Sendai
Inception: January 26, 2001
Architects: Itō Toyoo
Official opening: January 26, 2001
Address: 1 Japan, 〒980-0821 Miyagi, Sendai, Aoba Ward, Kasugamachi, 2−１ 1F 980-0821 仙台市
Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday 09:00-22:00
Phone: +81227133171
Website: https://smt.jp
GPS coordinates: 38.26556,140.86556
Latest update: December 1, 2025 08:15
Postmodern architecture emerged in the 1970s as a response to the rigid principles of modernism, reintroducing color, ornament, and historical references into contemporary building design. The movement evolved over decades, producing structures that challenge conventional forms and experiment with different materials and surfaces. These buildings demonstrate varied approaches to design, from playful facades to complex geometric constructions, showing how architects employ new technologies while engaging with historical stylistic elements. The collection includes cultural institutions such as the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao and Casa da Música in Porto, public buildings like Seattle Central Library and Almere City Hall, and religious structures such as the Jubilee Church in Rome. Other examples include the SIS Building in London, Dancing House in Prague, and Niterói Contemporary Art Museum in Rio de Janeiro. The Louvre Pyramid in Paris and the Wexner Center for the Arts in Columbus show different interpretations of postmodern principles. The Piazza d'Italia in New Orleans with its colored colonnades and the Portland Building with its decorated facade represent early postmodern works in the United States.
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