Fumihiko Maki, a renowned Japanese architect celebrated for his innovative fusion of Eastern and Western architectural styles, has died at the age of 95. Maki's office, Maki & Associates, announced his passing on June 6, 2024, marking the end of an era in modern architecture. His death, attributed to old age by Japanese media, leaves behind a legacy of groundbreaking designs that have shaped skylines across the globe.
Maki's illustrious career spanned several decades and continents. He was widely recognized for his ability to seamlessly blend traditional Japanese aesthetics with contemporary Western design principles. This unique approach earned him the prestigious Pritzker Prize, often referred to as the Nobel Prize of architecture. Maki was only the second Japanese architect to receive this honor, following in the footsteps of his mentor, Kenzo Tange.
Among Maki's most celebrated works is the National Museum of Modern Art in Kyoto. The building's design exemplifies his signature style, featuring floating forms of glass, metal, and concrete. Its seemingly simple gray exterior belies a complex interplay of light and texture, showcasing Maki's mastery in manipulating materials and space. In the United States, Maki left his mark with projects such as the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco and the iconic 4 World Trade Center in New York City.
Throughout his career, Maki demonstrated a keen understanding of urban spaces and their cultural contexts. His designs often incorporated the Japanese concept of "oku," which he described as a layered spatial organization akin to an onion. This approach allowed him to create depth and complexity even in confined urban environments. Maki's work on the Hillside Terrace Complex in Tokyo and the Makuhari Messe exhibition hall in Chiba further illustrate his ability to harmonize architecture with its surroundings.
Maki was not only a prolific architect but also a dedicated educator and thought leader in his field. He taught architecture and urban design at prestigious institutions including Harvard University, Washington University in St. Louis, and the University of Tokyo. His essays, collected in the book "Nurturing Dreams" published by MIT Press, offer profound insights into architectural theory and practice, particularly from a Japanese perspective.
The architect's influence extended beyond his built works. In 2013, Maki made headlines when he publicly criticized the initial design for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics stadium, arguing that it was too expensive and out of scale with its environment. His vocal opposition, supported by numerous colleagues, ultimately led to a redesign of the project, demonstrating the weight his opinions carried in the architectural community.
Maki's passing marks the end of an era in Japanese modernist architecture. Along with contemporaries Arata Isozaki and Kisho Kurokawa, Maki was instrumental in shaping the post-war architectural landscape of Japan and beyond. His work has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Wolf Prize from Israel and the AIA Gold Medal from the American Institute of Architects, cementing his status as one of the most influential architects of the 20th and early 21st centuries.
