The former Hyuga Villa annex in Atami is about to undergo a two-year restoration starting this July. The Bauhaus-style annex was built in 1936 and was designed by Bruno Taut (1880-1938), a renowned German architect. This is the only building Taut designed in Japan. 

The repairs will include fixing water leaks, interior maintenance, and earthquake retrofitting. Completion is expected by September 2021. The total repair bill is estimated at 299 million Yen (approx. 2.75 million USD), of which 50% will be covered by the national government, and 1/6th covered by Shizuoka Prefecture. 

The property was once the estate of Rihei Hyuga (1874-1939), a wealthy trader. Taut had fled Nazi-occupied Germany and came to Japan in 1933 at the invitation of architect Isaburo Ueno. Hyuga wanted a modern extension to his traditional Japanese villa, and a chance meeting with Taut led to the architectural commission. 

After Hyuga’s death, the estate was held by a private corporation as a company retreat. In 2004 the ownership was transferred to Atami City. In 2006, Taut’s basement annex was nationally designated as an Important Cultural Asset.

Location

8-37 Kasugacho, Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture

Sources: 
The Izu Shimbun, June 11, 2019.
Image via the Atami City Tourism Association.

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