Simose Art Museum was awarded the top prize of UNESCO’s Prix Versailles for the category of the “World’s Most Beautiful Museums” from a field of seven nominees. Representatives accepted the award at the awards ceremony held at UNESCO headquarters on December 2, 2024.
The Prix Versailles, an architecture prize established by UNESCO, was awarded on December 2 at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris. In 2024, the award’s tenth year, a new category for museums was added, and Simose Art Museum in Otake, Hiroshima Prefecture was recognized with the top honor, the Prix Versailles.
The Prix Versailles is a global architecture award that has been presented since 2015 at the headquarters of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) by a jury of renowned architects, philosophers and other members. Winners in eight categories, including airports, emporiums, hotels and sports facilities are selected from nominees around the globe. Three awards are bestowed in each category: the Prix Versailles for highest achievement, the Special Prize for an Interior, and the Special Prize for an Exterior. Simose Art Museum was among seven museums and art museums around the world that were nominated in June 2024 in the “World’s Most Beautiful Museums” category, and Simose Art Museum was awarded the Prix Versailles at the December 2, 2024 awards ceremony.
〇Comment from Mr. Jérôme Gouadain, President of the World Prix Versailles Organization (WPVO)
“I believe the Simose Art Museum project expresses a great deal. Its use of vibrant colors is particularly fascinating and rare for a museum setting. Additionally, the design embodies a sense of ‘lightness.’ The seamless integration of the interior and exterior made a profound impression on the judges. It seems that the entire jury agreed on the merits of this project. However, I must note that these are my personal impressions as I am not part of the jury and cannot speak directly for them.”