Nestled in the mountains of Wonju, South Korea, Museum SAN has evolved architecturally since its 2013 opening under Tadao Ando. The Pritzker Prize-winning Japanese architect has added three major structures and is now planning another. The museum, standing for space, art, and nature, has become a prominent private art institution.
Perched in the mountains of Wonju, South Korea, Museum SAN— an acronym for space, art, and nature—opened in 2013 through the vision of its founder, the late Lee In-hee, and Pritzker Prize winner Tadao Ando. It has since become one of South Korea's largest private art museums, attracting over 300,000 visitors each year with displays ranging from traditional Korean art to international contemporary pieces. Ando's architecture, known for its austere and meditative quality shaped by the landscape, defines the site's character.
Unlike many architects who disengage after completion, Ando has returned three times to expand the campus. In 2018, he added the Meditation Hall; in 2023, the Space of Light; and most recently in 2025, "Ground," an underground installation co-designed with British sculptor Antony Gormley. Museum director Ahn Young-joo notes that Ando is already sketching ideas for yet another project, though details remain confidential.
This ongoing collaboration underscores Museum SAN's role as a dynamic interplay of art and architecture. The additions create contemplative spaces that harmonize with the natural surroundings, offering visitors more than just exhibitions—an immersive experience that invites reflection.
