Architect KUMA Kengo designed and supervised the reformation and new museum building. He has tried to create an experience of wa or Japanese harmony. The visitor will enter along the side of the new building, coming off the energized commercial streets of Omote Sando. Tradition has inspired the graceful expanse of Kuma's massive tile roof and dark verticals of the exterior walls that signal entering a special place. Extensive use of glass in the entry and central hall brings the magnificent garden into interior spaces. At the same time the display galleries incorporate the latest technologies for viewing, climate control and preservation of objects.

The Museum in order to celebrate the October opening and to promote our mission, which is to allow this generation to experience the beauty of the past while preserving the legacy and moving towards the future, has adopted a new logo. It is designed by the German artist, Peter Schmidt. Our former name in English of "Institute of Fine Arts" has been clarified to "Nezu Museum". The'N'and'M' were the basis for the graphic design on the logo. The mark recalls as well the many folding-screen paintings in the collection, such as Korin's Irises. It also suggests 'bamboo' that aptly echoes the plantings and vertical exterior detailing of the new building. The lettering for the name "Nezu bijutsukan" in Japanese on the logo is based on the elegant style of ancient Chinese steles.