【Shadow of Tokyo】Kunio Maekawa Wooden House: A Tranquil Dialogue Between Modernism and Japanese Style**

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Hidden in the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum in Koganei City, Tokyo, Kunio Maekawa's residence stands like a silent architectural poem. This wooden structure, built in 1942, is a brilliant creation by Japan's first concrete master Kunio Maekawa, crafted during a time of steel scarcity. The 94-tsubo space features a high-ceilinged hall running north to south, with lattice windows slicing sunlight into poetic shadows, and shoji sliding doors gently framing the scenery, showcasing a perfect balance of "Japanese-Western fusion."

Having studied under Le Corbusier, Maekawa infused Western modernist open layouts with the eaves lines of traditional Japanese shrines. The flowing layout between the study and living room not only breaks the narrow confines of typical Japanese homes but also foretells the loft-style trend that would emerge half a century later. This 109㎡ residence uses simple wood to warm the somber wartime atmosphere, interpreting "true abundance comes from reverence for nature" through the aesthetics of order.

Post by yiink | Jul 24, 2025