The Japanese architect Kunio Maekawa had an almost spiritual appreciation for art. He designed eight museums throughout his life, each one a stunning ode to artistry. His designs consistently managed to transcend the idea of a simple museum and consider architecture’s role in shaping the integrity of the institution.

On November 3rd, 1979, when he was 74, Maekawa and his team designed and opened The Fukuoka Art Museum in Japan. Inside, he filled two conference rooms with 40 chairs and 38 tables that he had also designed. The fact that the chairs resided in the conference room points to Maekawa’s deep appreciation for the museum’s staff. In his own words, “whether a museum lives or dies depends on how it is managed.”

The backs and seats of the chairs are made with shaped plywood,...