Interlinked geometric shapes form Tadao Ando-designed National Museum of Uzbekistan

Construction has begun on the Tadao Ando-designed National Museum of Uzbekistan in Tashkent, which will be comprised of interconnected concrete squares, circles and triangles.

The museum, which will be located in the centre of Uzbekistan's capital, Tashkent, broke ground today.

Ando was informed by Uzbekistan's architectural heritage when designing the building, which will house the National Museum of Uzbekistan as well as a library.

These will be located in a square and a circular building that are connected by a central triangular building.

"By building with these pure forms, I wanted to return to the origins of thought and create a space from which powerful ideas could be sent out into the world", Ando said.

"I hope that the museum will serve as a new centre of creative expression directed towards the world."

The minimalist design makes use of natural light and was intended to create a serene yet powerful background for the museum's collection, with the space set to function as both a cultural and civic hub for the city.

Renders also show a large exterior staircase that will lead up to the museum buildings from the ground, as well as a roof terrace on top of the square-shaped concrete building.

The museum's roofs will be walkable and connected across all three buildings. Inside the museum, large oval-shaped voids will open the building up to the outside.

According to the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation (ACDF), which is leading the project, it is Ando's first major project in central Asia.

The National Museum of Uzbekistan will show both artworks from Uzbekistan's national holdings and newly acquired pieces that aim to reflect the country's "evolving identity," the organisation said.

"The National Museum of Uzbekistan reflects our revitalised cultural potential and serves as a vivid expression of our noble aspirations to create creative spaces that inspire, unite, and set an example for future generations," said Uzbekistan president Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

"It will stand as a majestic symbol of the new Uzbekistan, representing its rich heritage and openness to the world."

Inside, the museum will feature an exhibition design by German studio Atelier Brückner, which also designed the Uzbekistan Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka this year.

The firm worked closely with Ando to create an "immersive experience" that aims to pique visitors' imaginations by combining narrative and sensory elements.

Other recent projects by Ando include a subterranean concrete dome designed for an installation by artist Antony Gormley and a Bulgari watch informed by serpents.

The National Museum of Uzbekistan is scheduled to open to the public in March 2028.

The images are courtesy of ACDF.

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