HOUSTON, December 20, 2024 — Asia Society Texas mourns the recent passing of world-renowned Japanese architect Yoshio Taniguchi, who designed AST's Center — his only freestanding structure in the United States.

Best known in the U.S. for his 2004 redesign of the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, Taniguchi studied architecture at Harvard University's Graduate School of Design and worked for architect Kenzo Tange's studio before starting his own office in 1975. Noteworthy projects in Japan include Tokyo Sea Life Park, the Ken Domon Museum of Photography, the Toyota Municipal Museum of Art, and Marugame Genichiro-Inokuma Museum of Contemporary Art before his 1997 selection for MOMA's ambitious expansion.

Known for his deceptively simple designs, commitment to craftsmanship, and meticulous attention to detail, Taniguchi was selected in 2004 to design AST's Center in Houston's Museum District. Construction on the $48.4 million, 40,000 square-foot building began in January 2010 and was completed by fall 2011, with a four-day First Look Festival in April 2012 marking the Center's grand opening.

After seeing more than 1,000 Houstonians enjoy the First Look Festival, Taniguchi told the Houston Chronicle, "I was so happy to see so many people there. My intent was to create a place for people to meet each other."

Longtime AST patron Nancy C. Allen — alongside former ambassador Roy M. Huffington, Fayez Sarofim, Louisa Stude Sarofim, and Albert Chao — championed the need for a building dedicated to artistic, educational, and policy programs centering Asia and Asian American experiences.

"Taniguchi's brilliance is evident in his design of the Asia Society Texas Center," says Allen. "Working with him to create a space for the Houston community to learn about and celebrate the vibrancy of Asia was one of the great joys of my life. The world has lost an exceptional and inspirational spirit."

Press Coverage of Yoshio Taniguchi and Asia Society Texas Center

A "House" grows in the Museum District: Taniguchi's Asia Society Texas Center is simple & striking. CultureMap, October 28, 2010.
A Quiet New Neighbor Moves in. Architectural Record, November 15, 2011.
Gray: Asia Society Texas Center is minimally elegant. Houston Chronicle, January 19, 2012.
Preview of Asia Society Texas Center. ArtAsiaPacfic, March 29, 2012.
Asia Society center's design more than just lines, space. Houston Chronicle, April 13, 2012.
Asia Society Texas Center / Yoshio Taniguchi. ArchDaily, August 13, 2012.

About Asia Society Texas

Asia Society Texas believes in the strength and beauty of diverse perspectives and people. As an educational institution, we advance cultural exchange by celebrating the vibrant diversity of Asia, inspiring empathy, and fostering a better understanding of our interconnected world. Spanning the fields of arts, business, culture, education, and policy, our programming is rooted in the educational and cultural development of our community — trusting in the power of art, dialogue, and ideas to combat bias and build a more inclusive society.