July 2–November 9, 2025
At the Mori Art Museum, Tokyo, The Architecture of Sou Fujimoto: Primordial Future Forest exhibition is currently on view until Sunday, November 9, 2025. Over 100,000 visitors have already experienced this groundbreaking exhibition!
With offices spanning Tokyo, Paris, and Shenzhen, Sou Fujimoto (born 1971 in Hokkaido, Japan) is engaged in projects all over the world, ranging from private homes to universities, retail premises, hotels, and multi-purpose complexes. As one of Japan’s leading architects at the center of public attention, he was appointed as the Site Design Producer for Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan.
This exhibition marks the first major survey of Fujimoto’s work, providing a comprehensive overview across eight sections. It covers everything from his early career to current projects, tracing his architectural journey over the past thirty years, the distinctive features of his architecture, and the philosophy behind it. The exhibition also explores the role and potential of architecture through Fujimoto’s vision of the future city.
Exhibition Highlights
Three Decades of Architectural Innovation Unveiled: From Unknown Talent to Global Visionary
With The Aomori Museum of Art Design Competition Proposal submitted in 2000, the then-unknown Fujimoto won high praise from renowned architect Toyo Ito. Awarded second place, this achievement suddenly thrust him onto the architectural scene. He went on to design a series of prominent projects, including: Musashino Art University Museum & Library (2010, Tokyo) / Serpentine Gallery Pavilion 2013 (London) / L’Arbre Blanc (The White Tree, 2019, Montpellier, France) / House of Music Hungary (2021, Budapest).
Currently, he's working on ambitious projects including the International Center Station Northern Area Complex in Sendai, Japan (scheduled for completion in 2031), and mixed-use urban developments across Europe. This survey exhibition offers a complete overview of his architectural journey across eight thoughtfully curated sections.
The Grand Ring Takes Center Stage: EXPO 2025’s Symbolic Masterpiece Revealed
The exhibition prominently features The Grand Ring project—the iconic symbol of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan. Visitors can explore the Ring concept from multiple perspectives throughout the galleries, including: A stunning 1:5 scale model of part of the Ring, photographic documentation of its exterior, comprehensive project materials from original conception to completion, and an integrated model within the massive Forest of Thoughts (2025) installation.
Revolutionary Museum Experience: Where Architecture Meets Contemporary Art
Beyond traditional architecture exhibition elements like scale models, plans, and project photos, this show features groundbreaking innovations:
–Large-scale spatial models that let visitors experience Fujimoto’s designs firsthand
–Experimental studies that visualize his creative thinking process
–Immersive forest installation spanning 400 square meters, featuring 117 projects with over 1,000 models, drawings, and materials
–Interactive projection models that visualize human movement through spaces
–Theatrical exhibits featuring conversations among stuffed toys representing architectural projects
This multisensory approach leverages the Mori Art Museum's contemporary art expertise to create an architecture exhibition that appeals to both sight and sound.
Creative collaborations: A Meeting of Brilliant Minds
The exhibition features collaborations with distinguished creators and researchers: Kurakata Shunsuke, Architectural Historian and Professor at Osaka Metropolitan University / Haba Yoshitaka, Book Director and President of Bach Ltd. / Miyata Hiroaki, Data Scientist and Professor at Keio University.
Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore the mind of one of architecture's most innovative voices. The show is on view until Sunday, November 9, 2025!
