Located in an historic city on the north coast of the Japan, this circular building completely within a glass envelope can be viewed from all angles. There are central exhibition spaces of different proportions surrounded by areas for municipal services such as a library, a workshop for children and a conference room. There is space around the perimeter inside the glass to walk completely around the building. There are four inner courtyards enclosed by glass, and many of the rooms have skylights to provide diffused natural light where needed. This project began in 1999 and was completed in 2004.
(Media Kit announcing the 2010 Pritzker architecture Prize Laureate)