I'm quite familiar with it as I did a research paper on the Imperial Hotel. I was a student at Cornell's hotel school and took a course on modern architecture (in the Architecture School) as an elective. In historic context, Wright's winning and maintaining the contract for the design is remarkable. The Japanese contingent to the Paris Peace Conference in 1919 was generally ignored and they departed early, offended by the racism inherent in the Euro-centric emphasis. (Contributing to their rapid industrialization.) For the commission not to be pulled and awarded to a Japanese architect is impressive. A couple of points--the Japanese historically did not bring strangers into their homes, therefore the emphasis on public areas rather than guest room count. As you mentioned, Tokyo is a seismic site--I read it described as a location where the ground is never actually still. The hotel site was marshy (which is fatal during an earthquake) and Wright designed the foundation as a series of "lily pads" that "floated" on the waterlogged soil.. The American Institute of Architects claimed that the design was not structurally sound and that the hotel would collapse during an earthquake. As you mentioned, it lived through the event on the day it opened plus others. (In my reading the damage during opening was not described as severe as you portrayed.) Wright himself claimed that the design would not be understood for 50 years--it was demolished just shy of that milestone. I think it is unfortunate that you did not cover the interiors and fitting also designed by Wright. To me, one of the impressive aspects of Wright's work was how he wove his design motifs into ever detail of the building. The china designed for the Imperial Hotel is particularly beautiful IMHO.
Wright is notorious for never designing a roof that didn't leak!!! To read his books he was a wonderful salesman but he always missed the point like when he designed Falling Water. What a salesman!!!!!!!!!
How sad for great magnificent masterpiece of Architecture as well as interior furniture, light & landscape designs could have been then saved from ultimate demise if UNESCO, a vanguard of local & global heritage sites is already existing to declare a very important landmark for its conservation & preservation of this World's Heritage treasure! It's devastating to know that in current generation this elegant & exuberant works of nature & art was lost that have deprived us of an irreplaceable treasure as one of finest highlights of a Master's creative powers! May we learn to appreciate most of remaining historical & cultural artefacts in the world as their lasting legacies in our times🙏👍🙂
@@michaelhebeters9568 I have seen everything ever published and much that is not published. I love the Auditorium in Chicago. I started visiting Wrights California buildings in the early 1960s.
@@michaelhebeters9568 I did drive around at least a couple time looking for the Marlin County Courthouse and never found it. I have seen it in movies and extensively published and feel like I have experienced it.
STUNNING ARCHITECTURE What an Amazing structure!! Wright’s signature style is evident and precious!! To see this monument preserved even in part is a testament to the ingenuity behind this gifted artist!! 🎉 I’m so happy it wasn’t lost forever and was moved and preserved!!! Like the Guggenheim in NYC, some buildings Must Be Preserved for future generations and inspiration!! Thanks for sharing this story!! 👏🏻 👏🏻Bravo 👏🏻👏🏻
In my 20s I got to work as a bus-boy at the Arizona Baltimore in Phoenix. It also is a Frank Loyd Wright building. In the 1970s it still stood and probably still does a beautiful example of his unique approach to architecture.
I do not see what that horrendous shoe box made of glass called "The Prada Building" could possibly have in common with the Imperial Hotel, which, by the way, has been vastly overrated because was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, an equally overrated architect.
@@twistoffate4791 (LOL) Yes, I admit I was rather harsh but this is how I feel and what I believe; I shall never be a hypocrite and try to sugar-coat my thoughts. I stand by my beliefs. I liked your comment and sense of humour. Regards. 😁😁😁
I love the work of FLW but I see this as one of his least successful buildings. It is fussily, overly ornate. I see nothing Japanese about its aesthetic. The overall effect looks much like his “Mayan” buildings in LA. I have read that in the interior his use of interconnecting spaces created some wonderful vistas. I was lucky to stay in the new Imperial Hotel which I think is a wonderful example of International Style. On the mezzanine level they kept a small bar from the original hotel. The bar was dark and cramped.
@@robkimberlin959 Exactly! There is NOTHING Japanese about it, so much for his "knowledge" and "understanding" of Japanese culture and architecture. It was just a showpiece for his ego. This is what happens when you have an egotistic, arrogant, architect to whom the media has been flattering and puffing-up for decades.
COMMENT: Were you familiar this incarnation of The Imperial Hotel - and are you a fan of Frank Lloyd Wright’s work?
I'm quite familiar with it as I did a research paper on the Imperial Hotel. I was a student at Cornell's hotel school and took a course on modern architecture (in the Architecture School) as an elective.
In historic context, Wright's winning and maintaining the contract for the design is remarkable. The Japanese contingent to the Paris Peace Conference in 1919 was generally ignored and they departed early, offended by the racism inherent in the Euro-centric emphasis. (Contributing to their rapid industrialization.) For the commission not to be pulled and awarded to a Japanese architect is impressive.
A couple of points--the Japanese historically did not bring strangers into their homes, therefore the emphasis on public areas rather than guest room count. As you mentioned, Tokyo is a seismic site--I read it described as a location where the ground is never actually still. The hotel site was marshy (which is fatal during an earthquake) and Wright designed the foundation as a series of "lily pads" that "floated" on the waterlogged soil.. The American Institute of Architects claimed that the design was not structurally sound and that the hotel would collapse during an earthquake. As you mentioned, it lived through the event on the day it opened plus others. (In my reading the damage during opening was not described as severe as you portrayed.) Wright himself claimed that the design would not be understood for 50 years--it was demolished just shy of that milestone.
I think it is unfortunate that you did not cover the interiors and fitting also designed by Wright. To me, one of the impressive aspects of Wright's work was how he wove his design motifs into ever detail of the building. The china designed for the Imperial Hotel is particularly beautiful IMHO.
Yes, I also visited the remaining structure at Meiji Mura. It is great to see his legacy live on.
Thank you for posting this. Is it too hard to know the name of the background music? Thanks in advance
Wright is notorious for never designing a roof that didn't leak!!! To read his books he was a wonderful salesman but he always missed the point like when he designed Falling Water. What a salesman!!!!!!!!!
Thank you!
How sad for great magnificent masterpiece of Architecture as well as interior furniture, light & landscape designs could have been then saved from ultimate demise if UNESCO, a vanguard of local & global heritage sites is already existing to declare a very important landmark for its conservation & preservation of this World's Heritage treasure! It's devastating to know that in current generation this elegant & exuberant works of nature & art was lost that have deprived us of an irreplaceable treasure as one of finest highlights of a Master's creative powers! May we learn to appreciate most of remaining historical & cultural artefacts in the world as their lasting legacies in our times🙏👍🙂
I am fortunate enough to have visited all of Wrights great buildings. Great historical presentation on his Imperial Hotel.
ALL of them ?? There are a number that are very private and others that cannot be seen in person unless you release a drone
@@michaelhebeters9568 I have seen everything ever published and much that is not published. I love the Auditorium in Chicago. I started visiting Wrights California buildings in the early 1960s.
@@michaelhebeters9568 I did drive around at least a couple time looking for the Marlin County Courthouse and never found it. I have seen it in movies and extensively published and feel like I have experienced it.
STUNNING ARCHITECTURE
What an Amazing structure!! Wright’s signature style is evident and precious!! To see this monument preserved even in part is a testament to the ingenuity behind this gifted artist!! 🎉 I’m so happy it wasn’t lost forever and was moved and preserved!!! Like the Guggenheim in NYC, some buildings Must Be Preserved for future generations and inspiration!! Thanks for sharing this story!! 👏🏻 👏🏻Bravo 👏🏻👏🏻
In my 20s I got to work as a bus-boy at the Arizona Baltimore in Phoenix. It also is a Frank Loyd Wright building. In the 1970s it still stood and probably still does a beautiful example of his unique approach to architecture.
I do not see what that horrendous shoe box made of glass called "The Prada Building" could possibly have in common with the Imperial Hotel, which, by the way, has been vastly overrated because was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, an equally overrated architect.
Wow, you really woke up in an unfortunate mood.
@@twistoffate4791 (LOL) Yes, I admit I was rather harsh but this is how I feel and what I believe; I shall never be a hypocrite and try to sugar-coat my thoughts. I stand by my beliefs. I liked your comment and sense of humour. Regards. 😁😁😁
I love the work of FLW but I see this as one of his least successful buildings. It is fussily, overly ornate. I see nothing Japanese about its aesthetic. The overall effect looks much like his “Mayan” buildings in LA. I have read that in the interior his use of interconnecting spaces created some wonderful vistas. I was lucky to stay in the new Imperial Hotel which I think is a wonderful example of International Style. On the mezzanine level they kept a small bar from the original hotel. The bar was dark and cramped.
@@robkimberlin959 Exactly! There is NOTHING Japanese about it, so much for his "knowledge" and "understanding" of Japanese culture and architecture. It was just a showpiece for his ego. This is what happens when you have an egotistic, arrogant, architect to whom the media has been flattering and puffing-up for decades.
Who do you consider to be a particularly successful and talented architect?