The Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation (ACDF) has begun work on what will become one of the country’s most significant cultural institutions: the National Museum of Uzbekistan, designed by Tadao Ando Architect & Associates.
Set to open in 2028, the museum represents a transformative step in Uzbekistan’s cultural evolution, introducing Ando’s distinctive architectural language to Central Asia for the first time.
The project reflects the nation’s desire to create a world-class center dedicated to celebrating, studying, and preserving its vast artistic and archaeological heritage.
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has emphasized the museum’s importance as a symbol of Uzbekistan’s cultural identity and its ambitions on the global stage.
A Vision of Pure Geometry
The museum’s design—based on circles, squares, and triangular connectors—embodies Tadao Ando’s philosophy of clarity, simplicity, and spiritual depth.
Sweeping arcs and precise geometric intersections define the building’s character, creating a serene yet dynamic architectural presence at the heart of Tashkent.
Ando describes the project as a return to elemental forms: “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. I hope the Museum will serve as a new center of creative expression directed towards the world.”
The architecture will harness light, proportion, and material honesty to shape a museum experience that feels both contemplative and expansive.
Connecting Heritage and Contemporary Culture
For Gayane Umerova, Head of the Department for Creative Economy and Tourism and Chairperson of ACDF, the museum is conceived as a bridge between eras: “It reflects our national identity and confidence in Uzbekistan’s cultural capacity to shape a new society.”
The museum’s collection will encompass masterworks from the national holdings and new acquisitions that expand and diversify Uzbekistan’s cultural narrative.
An active international acquisitions program is already shaping a collection that speaks to both the region’s past and its contemporary artistic identity.
A Multifunctional Cultural Ecosystem
The National Museum of Uzbekistan is planned as more than a gallery space. It will include:
- a public library,
- permanent and temporary exhibition halls,
- educational programs,
- artist residencies,
- research facilities,
- and spaces for public engagement.
The exhibition design, created by ATELIER BRÜCKNER, focuses on immersive storytelling and sensory experience. Their collaboration with Ando ensures that the museum’s narrative and architectural expression remain deeply intertwined.
Youth engagement remains a central priority, expanding cultural access and nurturing future generations of artists and thinkers.
A Symbol of the New Uzbekistan
As work progresses, the National Museum of Uzbekistan stands as a powerful emblem of cultural revitalization.
Through geometric purity, material restraint, and an unwavering commitment to architectural excellence, Tadao Ando’s design will position Tashkent as an international destination for art, knowledge, and cross-cultural dialogue.
A circle of light and ideas, poised to redefine how Uzbekistan engages with its past — and how the world engages with Uzbekistan.
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Renders courtesy of Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation
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