House of Hidden Senses
Kyoto is a quiet journey into perception. Nestled within the city’s historic lanes, the museum reveals itself slowly, inviting moments of pause, curiosity, and self-reflection. Through immersive and interactive spaces, contemporary interventions intertwine with traditional architecture, awakening sight, sound, touch, and memory. As visitors move through the house, perception becomes both subject and guide—uncovering the subtle ways we experience, interpret, and connect with the world around us.
LOCATION
Kyoto, Japan
PROJECT TYPE
Sensorial Discovery Museum
Facade
Social Issues
Today we're bombarded with information that is designed to please the eye and delivery the maximum visual impact among a short period of time. When we become immersed to this colorful information, our other haptic senses of experience becomes desensitized. From all sorts of sources—news, social media, and notifications. Social media, in particular, is designed to grab and keep our attentions and constantly competes for our focus.
The goal is to create a focused and intentional experience, allowing individuals to reconnect with their own unique ways of experiencing the world.
Site Map
Material Strategy
Situated at the intersection of a prominent street, the area is surrounded by numerous museums, castles, gardens, and a university. This vibrant setting invites diverse groups and individuals to explore the house of hidden senses.
Color Strategy
Centering around a sophisticated and timeless palette, primarily incorporating black, white, grey, and wood tones. BLACK is employed for dramatic elements, creating visual contrast, while WHITE fosters brightness and openness for an inviting atmosphere. GREY serves as a neutral backdrop, providing versatility and cohesion throughout the space. WOOD tones are strategically integrated to introduce warmth, texture, and a connection to nature. Subtle accent colors and metallic finishes are selectively used to add visual interest and touches of luxury. This balanced color scheme, with its interplay of light and shadow, aims to create a timeless and elegant environment, enhancing the sensory experience for visitors exploring the House of Hidden Senses.
A restrained palette of quiet, neutral tones softens the space, allowing textures and materials to speak gently, pulling the eye toward the surface, awakening the hand, and transforming touch into an intimate moment of sensory discovery.
Form Strategy
Walkthrough / Circulation
Plan and Section
Concept Sketch
This building comprises three levels: the basement, the first floor, and the second floor. Visitors enter on the first floor, but their journey begins in the basement. As they progress, they will navigate through familiar senses, gradually uncovering relationships and hidden senses along the way.
Underground Experience
Wind
Lightning
Rain
Cloud
Sun
First Floor Experience
The first floor features an immersive experience designed to help visitors explore and understand the relationship between themselves and their senses. Through interactive exhibits and sensory activities, visitors can discover how their senses influence their perception of the world and their self-awareness. This journey encourages a deeper connection with one's own sensory experiences and enhances the understanding of how these experiences shape our reality.
This exhibition focuses on the sense of touch. When we focus on only the sense of touch, it heightens our sensory awareness. Allowing us to become more attuned to the subtleties of different materials, surfaces, and objects, while expanding our perception of the surrounding environment.
In this section, I’ve also added an interactive element to enhance the fun. Visitors can participate in a voting system where they share what kind of imagery they experienced, because people have diverse sensations and perceptions. This activity is to celebrate the uniqueness of individual sensory experiences, enriching the overall engagement with the exhibit.
Second Floor Experience
The basement is dedicated to exploring weather phenomena because weather impacts all of our senses. Weather conditions such as temperature, humidity, wind, and precipitation affect how we experience the world around us through touch, smell, sight, and even sound. By focusing on weather, we can delve into familiar sensory experiences and gain a deeper understanding of how our senses interact with the environment. Additionally, weather is a universal topic that connects people across cultures and backgrounds, making it an ideal subject for discussions and insights into human perception.
Fully absorbed in the present, rediscovering the richness of their surroundings in a way that's both captivating and immersive.
This project aims to unravel the mysteries of human senses and perception in the context of a world dominated by sensory overload. Through deliberate design, interactive installations, and a focus on specific senses, the goal is to provide visitors with a unique and contemplative journey. The project aims not only to celebrate the richness of human perception but also to pay homage to the cultural heritage of Kyoto by seamlessly blending modern experiential design within the alley of traditions. With an ultimate goal to offer an intriguing and immersive experience that captivates the senses within the embrace of tradition.
Presentation Video
DEVELOPMENT
Early Development
Early Development - Site and location
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