© Fumihiko Maki
Maki’s Golgi Structures designed in 1968 by Fumihiko Maki was named after Nobel Prize-winner Camillo Golgi, who developed techniques for visualizing nerve cell bodies. The structure proposed by Maki alternates dense urban areas with unstructured open spaces. Encasing the latter are light-absorbing cells that facilitate communication, energy distribution, and mechanical systems.
The Golgi Structure Technical Information
- Architects: Fumihiko Maki
- Location: Japan
- Typology: Urbanism / City planning
- Project Year: 1968
- Images: © Fumihiko Maki
I understand that, today, some developers are asking architects to design eye-catching, iconic buildings. Fortunately, I’ve not had that kind of client so far.
– Fumihiko Maki
The Golgi Structure Photographs
© Fumihiko Maki
© Fumihiko Maki
© Fumihiko Maki
© Fumihiko Maki
Investigations on Collective Form
Fumihiko Maki in Investigations on Collective Form not only conceptualized the urban form of megastructure but quickly turned to criticized this planning method for its rigidity and monumentality. He opposed it with the concept of group formation. Instead of a static structure, Maki called for a more subtle internal order that underlay the natural evolution of cities.
He distinguished 3 types of ‘collective form’:
- Compositional form (Compositional): fixed relation between preformed buildings. It is based on rules of composition and encompasses the cases of planned cities such as Chandigarh or Brasilia.
- Megastructural form (structural): a large framework that encompasses all the functions of a complex organism or an urban nucleus. It is present in Metabolist projects such as the Agricultural City by Kurowaka or the Tokyo Bay development by Tange Lab
- Group form (sequential): an additive collection of similar units. The stepped villages of the Greek islands or the Dogon villages where time is the key player
In the Golgi Structure, Maki includes communication properties of nerve cells in his architecture. The open spaces provide mobility and freedom for the inhabitants, making them user-friendly and focused on social interaction.
This “High-Density Conceptual Urban Structure” corresponds to a network of circular buildings fanning out variously in closed-off or half-open shapes, accommodating a large number of inhabitants.
© Fumihiko Maki
About Fumihiko Maki
Fumihiko Maki was born in 1928 in Tokyo and educated at the University of Tokyo (BS Arch), Cranbrook Academy of Art (M.Arch), and Harvard University Graduate School of Design (M.Arch). Prior to returning to Tokyo in 1965 to open his own firm, Maki worked in the offices of SOM and Sert Jackson and Associates, as well as, the campus planning office of Washington University in St. Louis.
In 1993, he received the Pritzker Prize for his work, which often explores pioneering uses of new materials and fuses the cultures of the east and west.
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Eventually , someone is going to come up with a dry cave , like the one at the end of the road In Hanalei Kauai , and everybody is going to be like ” THIS IS IT ! ” Returning to base , returning to the original , so good for the body and so helpful to the soul … When I look at this beautiful idea , above , of Fumihiko Maki , I think of how the Japanese mind is so constantly trained in the collective , and how that compares to the individuation of the west , which if not separated , must at the least be simplicated so as to not allow for any actual contact of conflict . I am wondering if it is possible to create “The spirited cell ” where there would be a union of individuality with the collective consciousness .. the celebration of new life emergent . I believe that this can only happen when we fully engage with the releasing of life – sometimes called passing . If as modelers we do not accept beginning and end , our work will be frozen in time , even as it mirrors life force energy forms . Consider the constant presence of a pile of construction dirt to the left , and a hole for debris to the right , conceptually in all plans … then see how the construct feels .
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and observations Jennifer. Your comment provides a unique and insightful perspective on the design and the cultural differences that influence architecture. Your comparison of the Japanese mind’s focus on collectivism and the West’s focus on individualism is interesting and thought-provoking.
It’s also great to hear your thoughts on the idea of a “spirited cell” that brings together individuality and the collective consciousness. Your mention of the importance of accepting beginning and end in architecture is a valuable reminder that design should reflect the cycles of life and be in harmony with the environment.
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and for encouraging us to consider the impact of design on our well-being. Your comment is highly appreciated and will be of interest to our readers.