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 This journey
to paradise, taken by the old fisherman in the classic Chinese
tale “Peach Blossom Spring” was the starting point of
the renowned architect I.M. Pei's concept of the approach to the
Miho Museum.
However, the realization of the master
architect's concepts could be demanding at times. Originally the
tunnel's end that opens to a visitor's first glimpse of the Miho
Museum was faced with a square concrete frame. But visiting the
sight not long before the Museum's opening, Mr. Pei gave it a
disapproving look and asked, “Can we take that out?”
“What!” groaned the contractor.
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The end of the
facing is indicated by the dotted line. |
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The construction crew worked day and night to remove
the concrete facing and replace it with greenery in time for the
grand opening. The result was that the tunnel's mouth as seen from
the Museum resembled a gaping cave in the side of a mountain, very
much like that the fisherman would have seen in the old Chinese
tale.
By the time the new greenery provided adequate
cover, the architect paid another visit. While inspecting the other
end of the tunnel he said, “Let's plant a large tree to hide
the concrete entrance to the tunnel.” “The pavement on
the bridge is very nice. Why don't we stretch it out beyond the
tunnel ?” he added. The pavement was made with small ceramic
shards that helped carry rainwater to refresh the plants in the
valley below.
In the short period during the museum was
closed in winter, ceramic pavement was extended to the path that
is now lined with weeping cherry trees. At last, Mr. Pei seemed
satisfied. |
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