SOU FUJIMOTO
The Shiroiya project began in 2014 and it has undergone dramatic changes over the past six years. The concept stemmed from a plan to renovate the main building and open up a large atrium. Once the floors were stripped out, the structure’s powerful presence came to light, revealed after many years. This offered a taste of how the atrium could look, as a plaza for locals and international visitors to mingle. The space seemed capable of holding all kinds of objects and events. The project went ahead with input from worldwide artists and designers, people in the Maebashi area and those involved in community-life generation. Taro Okamoto’s Bell of the Sun was relocated to the city at this time, and that gave rise to the idea of incorporating a hillock in a new building. We hope that Shiroiya will go on developing, together with the entire city of Maebashi, accepting and involving a diversity of people, activities and materials.
SOU FUJIMOTO
Sou Fujimoto: Special Interview Part I
Toward the Future: Architecture, The City and Global Affluence as Seen Through the Prism of Shiroiya Hotel’s Revitalization
Sou Fujimoto: Special Interview Part II
In Part I of this article, architect Sou Fujimoto spoke about how the renovation idea of Shiroiya Hotel started and how it developed over time. In this part II of the interview, he discusses his architectural inspirations and thoughts while bringing the new hotel to life.
SOU FUJIMOTO
Sou Fujimoto was born in Hokkaido in 1971. Graduated from the Department of Architecture, Faculty of Engineering at Tokyo University, he established Sou Fujimoto Architects in 2000. Among his recent renowned projects is the 1st prize for the 2014 International Competition for the Second Folly of Montpellier, France (“L’Arbre Blanc”). Additionally in 2015, 2017 and 2018, he won several international competitions with 1st prize in various European countries. In Japan, he was selected as the Expo site design producer for the 2025 Japan International Exposition (Osaka/Kansai Expo). In 2021, he was selected as the designer Co-Innovation University (Tentative) in Hida Takayama city. His notable works include; “House of Music” (2021), “MARUHON makiart terrace (Ishinomaki Cultural Center)” (2021), “SHIROIYA HOTEL” (2020), “L’Arbre Blanc” (2019), “Serpentine Gallery Pavilion 2013” (2013), “House NA” (2011), “Musashino Art University Museum & Library” (2010), “House N” (2008) and many more.