History
The Umbrella House, also known as Shinohara House, was designed by architect Kazuo Shinohara. It completed in 1961. This structure was a core example of Shinohara's 'First Style'. Its original location was Nerima, Tokyo, Japan. The house was later saved from demolition. It was meticulously relocated and reconstructed at the Vitra Campus in Weil am Rhein, Germany.
Architecture
This is a Modernist structure. It employs wooden post-and-beam construction. Japanese cypress and Japanese pine form key elements. Oregon pine is also present. The exterior features cement fiber boards. A distinctive pyramid-shaped 'umbrella' roof caps the building. This roof form incorporated traditional Japanese vernacular and temple motifs.
Setting
The house originally stood in Nerima, Tokyo, Japan. Its current site is the Vitra Campus in Weil am Rhein, Germany. Here it rests amidst a carefully considered landscape, where natural light defines its reconstructed form. The relocation preserved its legacy.
Specifications
Total floor area measures 55 square meters. The construction utilizes Japanese cypress, Japanese pine, Oregon pine, and cement fiber boards. It is a built example of residential architecture.
In print
Featured: JA93 Spring 2014. Relocation coverage: ArchDaily, Dezeen.
