Day 34 - George Nakashima Woodworker Complex, New Hope, Pennsylvania
📌APIA Every Day (34) - The George Nakashima Woodworker Complex, nestled in New Hope, Pennsylvania, stands as a testament to the legacy of George Nakashima, an iconic furniture designer and architect. Nakashima's journey began with formal education in architecture at the University of Washington and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, followed by experiences in New York and Paris during the Great Depression. Influenced by the International Style and Japanese traditions, Nakashima's unique design aesthetic flourished. The complex, comprising 21 buildings on 12 acres, served as his home and workspace, showcasing the fusion of "organic naturalism" in architecture, furniture, and landscape. The complex remains an embodiment of Nakashima's craftsmanship and design excellence.
Born in 1905 to Japanese immigrants, Nakashima's life took diverse turns, from studying in Paris to working in Japan and eventually settling in the United States. The outbreak of World War II led to his internment in Minidoka, Idaho, but the intervention of architect Antonin Raymond brought him to New Hope. Despite facing challenges, Nakashima embraced traditional Japanese woodworking techniques, blending them with his modernist vision. The complex's growth, from a workshop in 1946 to a compound housing workshops, studios, homes, and galleries, reflects Nakashima's commitment to creating harmonious spaces that integrated with nature.
George Nakashima's profound influence extended beyond his innovative furniture designs. His daughter, Mira, continues the family tradition, preserving and extending Nakashima's legacy through the George Nakashima Studio. The complex remains a living testament to Nakashima's belief that architecture and furniture design are not just means of living but a way to live in harmony with nature. The site was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2008 and designated a National Historic Landmark in 2014. Visitors to the property experience the tranquility and beauty that Nakashima envisioned, where architecture and furniture design coalesce with the natural environment, creating an enduring legacy in Japanese American craftsmanship.
LEARN MORE:
George Nakashima Woodworkers / Foundation
National Park Service: George Nakashima Woodworker Complex
Architectural Digest: A Look at George Nakashima's Instinctual Woodworking
Architectural Digest: A Look at the Life of America’s Most Important Contemporary Woodworker
