MOA Museum of Art, Atami City, Japan

Designed to reflect a mysterious and unknown world, 200 meters of softly colored underground escalator passages and mid-point domed hall reflect the unique character of the world-class museum while creating a heightened level of anticipation for visitors.

Atami City, located in Japan’s Shizuoka Prefecture, is a well known hot springs and seaside resort area with roots stretching back to the 8th century. Conveniently situated on the Shinkansen (bullet train) line between Tokyo and Osaka, its accessibility provides an easy outing for both domestic and foreign visitors.

The outstanding MOA (Mokichi Okada Assoc.) Museum of Art opened in Atami in 1982. Built 260 meters above sea level amidst the expanse of a huge 25,000m² garden, fabulous views of the open sea can be enjoyed from atop its perch on Momoyama Hill. The beautiful rectilinear modern architecture of the Museum’s main building - rising from among the beauty and Japanese tea rooms of the surrounding garden - was designed to match its natural surroundings.

Since its opening, the MOA collection - emphasizing paintings, calligraphies and crafts from the East - has always maintained an excellent reputation. The 3500 works of art, including 3 national treasures and 65 important cultural properties, display a well known charm and value from the perspective of art and historical study.

Escalators and domed hall
Access to the Museum’s main building is a unique journey in and of itself. From the Museum entrance to the main building visitors travel some 200 meters up escalators running along a tunnel passage. Each escalator (14 in all running both directions) extends over 30 meters and is encased within the natural environment of Momoyama Hill. A circular domed hall 20 meters wide by 10 meters high is located at the mid-point of the journey and serves as a multipurpose room and space for artistic expression.

Cyclo 04 DMX
In January 2006, 295 Martin Architectural Cyclo 04 DMX fixtures were installed. The Cyclo 04 DMX is an RGB plus white 28W T5 fluorescent color changer capable of generating nearly all colors or white light of any color temperature. The Cyclo 04’s are equipped with a diffuser front lens to project an even field of colored light by completely diffusing the light from each tube. Additionally, color filters are incorporated to emphasize the LD’s required color variation. The Cyclo’s fabulously illuminate the museum from entrance through the escalator passage and hall, creating a visually stimulating and mysterious space.

The dome shaped ceiling of the circular hall is illuminated in soft shades using 52 Cyclo 04 DMX units. Color transforms slowly and yet expresses a novel and stark contrast to a group of 12 Cyclos installed in a round central cover at the top of the dome. As visitors approach the room from the ethereally illuminated passage, the beautifully colored dome appears gradually, its overwhelming presence leading to a completely different world.


Cyclo’s are installed on both sides of the escalator passages, illuminating pleated walls, which rise in a natural gradation. Color mixing sequences in the passages last four minutes and illuminate the space in six color variants. In the domed hall 4 color scenes reflect current outdoor lighting levels, such as a sunrise or the brightness of a full moon night.

Lighting Designer Toshimi Yanase
Lighting designer for MOA Museum of Art’s escalator passage and domed hall is Toshimi Yanase of Tokyo Butai Showmei Co. Ltd. He commented about his work, “It is designed to represent a mysterious and unknown world for the visitors and for them to also feel excited during the long escalator ride. Soft colors are programmed to create a peaceful atmosphere which goes along with the character of the Museum.”