Sunday, January 11, 2026

Kunibiki Messe Atrium

 


The Kunibiki Messe is a huge convention and exhibition centre in Matsue, Shimane.


The utilitarian fire escape on the side of the main building has been photographd by me several times as the shadow creates an intriguing pattern.


Outside is a huge, red, abstract steel sculpture. No idea who made it, although it is included in the Kunibiki Messe logo.


Kunibiki Messe was designed by one of my favorite architects, Shin Takamatsu, born in Iwami and designer of quite a few public buildings in Shimane.


It opened in 1993.


My main focus in this post is on the atrium.


Filled with metallic, and glass,  geometric shapes,..... cylinders, spheres, cones, it feels like a playful space..


The oval cycliner that crosses through the upper space carries an escalator.


Some of the forms were cordoned off and entry not allowed, which was a shame...


A few people use the space, though its main function seems to be decorative. It is hard to do anything interesting architecturally with what is basically a huge space like a factory or a hangar....




The previous post in this series on Matsue, was on the thatched teahouse Kangetsuan.


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