Renowned Architect Yoshio Taniguchi Passes Away at 86

Yoshio Taniguchi, the influential Japanese architect, passed away on December 16, 2024, at the age of eighty-seven. Taniguchi’s most notable achievement was the 2004 renovation and expansion of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, which doubled the museum’s gallery space and significantly increased its attendance. His death, attributed to pneumonia, marks the end of a remarkable career that left an indelible mark on the field of architecture.

Early Life and Education

Born on October 17, 1937, in Tokyo, Yoshio Taniguchi was the son of Yoshiro Taniguchi, the architect behind Tokyo’s National Museum of Modern Art. Following in his father’s footsteps, Yoshio pursued engineering at Keio University before moving to the United States to study architecture at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design.

Graduating in 1964, he briefly worked with architect Walter Gropius, a major influence on his career, before joining Kenzo Tange’s studio.

Formative Years and Influences

During his time at Kenzo Tange’s office, Taniguchi honed his skills and developed a unique architectural style characterized by elegance and simplicity. He later taught architecture at the University of Cape Town and the University of California, Los Angeles, before returning to Tokyo in 1975 to establish his own practice.

Notable Projects in Japan

Taniguchi’s early projects in Japan quickly garnered attention for their refined, streamlined designs. Some of his most significant works include:

• Ken Domon Museum of Photography (1983)
• Tokyo Sea Life Park (1989)
• Marugame Genichiro-Inokuma Museum of Contemporary Art (1991)
• Toyota Municipal Museum of Art (1995)

These projects exemplify Taniguchi’s ability to create spaces that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing, adhering to his father’s advice not to take on too many projects at once.

The MoMA Commission

In 1997, Yoshio Taniguchi was selected as one of ten international architects to compete for the prestigious commission to expand MoMA’s West Fifty-Third Street home. Despite being relatively unknown outside Japan and having never participated in a competition, Taniguchi emerged victorious, beating out prominent architects like Herzog & de Meuron, Steven Holl, Rem Koolhaas, and Bernard Tschumi.

Design and Controversy

Taniguchi’s design for MoMA, completed in 2004, unified the museum’s original 1939 International Style building and Philip Johnson’s 1964 addition. The design featured two identical structures clad in black granite and dark gray glass on the east and west sides of the sculpture garden, with a milky white glass façade on the south side. The result was a serene composition that invited visitors to experience art, architecture, and the city in a transcendent manner.

However, the design sparked controversy. Critics like Joseph Giovannini called it *godforsaken*, while others, such as Nicolai Ouroussoff of The New York Times, praised its refined simplicity. The large, borderless galleries and expansive lobby drew mixed reactions, with some finding them inappropriate for the museum’s collection of intimately scaled works and others appreciating the dramatic atrium and natural light-flooded spaces.

Later Works and Legacy

Following the MoMA commission, Taniguchi designed only one other US museum: the Asia Society Texas Center in Houston, completed in 2012. This 40,000-square-foot building, featuring limestone, cherry wood, and glass, stands as his only freestanding structure in the United States. Other notable projects from his later career include:

• An incinerator plant in Tokyo (2004)
• The D. T. Suzuki Museum in Kanazawa, Japan (2011)
• The Heisei Chishinkan in Kyoto (2014)

These projects reflect Taniguchi’s continued commitment to creating spaces that encourage reflection and discovery. His work on the D. T. Suzuki Museum, centered around a large rectangular pond, and the Heisei Chishinkan, which contrasts with the Kyoto National Museum’s 1897 redbrick Meiji period building, demonstrate his ability to blend modern design with historical context.

A Modern Approach to Architecture

Throughout his career, Taniguchi remained focused on the experiences of those entering his buildings. He believed in creating spaces where visitors could easily locate themselves, avoiding the visual and physical fatigue often associated with large European museums. This modern approach to architecture, emphasizing function and clarity, set him apart from his contemporaries.

Remembering Yoshio Taniguchi

Yoshio Taniguchi’s legacy is one of elegance, simplicity, and a deep understanding of the human experience within architectural spaces.

His work continues to inspire architects and designers around the world. It reminds us of the power of architecture to create serene and transformative environments.

We remember his contributions and celebrate a life dedicated to the art and science of building, forever etched in the annals of architectural history.

For more information on Yoshio Taniguchi’s life and work, visit the original Artforum article.