George Nakashima’s Arts Building and Cloister, situated in the tranquil landscape of New Hope, Pennsylvania, embodies his profound understanding of nature, art, and spirituality. Built between 1963 and 1967, these structures reflect Nakashima’s highest aspirations as a woodworker, architect, and artist.
George Nakashima’s Arts Building Technical Information
- Architects: George Nakashima
- Location: New Hope, Pennsylvania, USA
- Area: 1,440 ft2 (36 feet by 40 feet); the Cloister is approximately 702 square feet (18 feet by 39 feet)
- Project Year: 1963 – 1967
- Photographs: © Martien Mulder, © Adam Stech
The monastic life is essential for understanding to be achieved.
– George Nakashima 1
George Nakashima Arts Building Photographs
Design Philosophy and Cultural Significance
George Nakashima’s Arts Building and Cloister, located in New Hope, Pennsylvania, are integral components of a larger landscape comprising over 17 structures designed to meet the needs of Nakashima’s family and woodworking business. Since 1945, this site has been central to Nakashima’s life and work, embodying his quest for enlightenment and understanding of nature, art, and the human spirit.
The design of the Arts Building and Cloister is profoundly influenced by Nakashima’s time spent in a Hindu monastery in South India during the late 1930s. Nakashima believed that “the monastic life is essential for understanding to be achieved,” a discipline that shaped his approach to design. The buildings are not intended for daily life or routine work but as places of inspiration and retreat.
Architectural Features
The Arts Building is a two-story structure with a unique tilted hyperbolic-paraboloid roof. Designed with the assistance of engineers Paul Weidlinger and Matthys Levy, this roof consists of three layers of ⅝-inch plywood boards covered with a vapor barrier, thermal insulation, asphalt-saturated felts, and marble chips. The large expanses of glass are shaded with Japanese-inspired grilles made of cypress, interior shoji screens, and casement fabric curtains, creating a seamless connection with the surrounding landscape.
The Cloister is a one-story building connected to the Arts Building through an L-shaped covered walkway and a pond. It features a monastic cell for special guests, storage areas, a furnace room, and a service area with a kitchenette and bathroom.
Nakashima’s continuous aspiration to enhance the wood’s natural beauty is evident in the building’s architectural elements and built-in furniture, such as the Conoid Bench and monumental lighting fixtures.
Legacy and Conservation
Following Nakashima’s death in 1990, the Arts Building and Cloister were transferred to the George Nakashima Foundation for Peace in 2002. This transfer marked the beginning of focused efforts to preserve Nakashima’s legacy. The site was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2013 and included on the World Monuments Fund’s 2014 World Monument Watch list.
In 2015, the Getty Foundation’s Keeping It Modern initiative provided a grant to develop a comprehensive conservation and management plan for the site. This plan addresses the main conservation challenges, such as the roof’s structural integrity and the preservation of the interior collections. The plan emphasizes maintaining the authenticity of the visitor experience while balancing conservation with the continued use of the building as a place to view art.
The conservation plan includes recommendations for diagnostic monitoring, structural assessments, and strategies to manage the dynamics of change that contribute to the site’s spiritual value.
George Nakashima’s Arts Building and Cloister are a testament to his design ethos, merging modern design with spirituality. The ongoing conservation efforts ensure that Nakashima’s legacy continues to inspire future generations, preserving the intricate relationships between objects, buildings, landscapes, and the life lived within them
George Nakashima Arts Building Plans
George Nakashima Arts Building Image Gallery
About George Nakashima
George Nakashima (1905-1990) was a renowned American woodworker, architect, and furniture maker, celebrated for his masterful craftsmanship and deep spiritual connection to his work. Born in Spokane, Washington, and educated at MIT, Nakashima’s early career included stints in Europe and Japan, where he refined his skills and philosophies. During World War II, he was interned in a camp for Japanese Americans, where he met master carpenter Gentaro Hikogawa, who profoundly influenced his approach to woodworking. After the war, Nakashima established his studio in New Hope, Pennsylvania, where he created iconic pieces that seamlessly blend modern design with traditional craftsmanship, emphasizing the natural beauty of wood.
Notes & Additional Credits
- The Soul of a Tree: A Master Woodworker’s Reflections by George Nakashima
