A Japanese clubhouse that coexists with nature, inheriting the spirit of Antonin Raymond, a master of modern architecture

Antonin Raymond is an architect who had a major influence on Japan's postwar clubhouses. After working in the United States, he became a legend who led the way in modern Japanese architecture.

In 1919, Raymond came to Japan with Frank Lloyd Wright during the construction of the former Imperial Hotel. After its completion, he remained in Japan and created many modernist buildings, including churches and schools. In 1932, Raymond designed his first clubhouse, for the Tokyo Golf Club in Saitama Prefecture.

"It was the brothers Shiro and Rokuro Akaboshi, who were known as master course designers, who introduced Raymond to the world of golf. Raymond also became a fan of golf, and even set a record with a handicap of 13."

This is what Toshinobu Miura, the representative of Raymond Architects and the last of his disciples to learn directly from Raymond, said.
"There aren't many rules when it comes to building a clubhouse. While you do need a dining room, bathrooms, and lockers, there's a lot of freedom and it's easy to try new things."

The Tokyo Golf Club was a modern building with a pool in a pure white concrete building, and was touted as the best clubhouse in the Orient (no longer in existence).

"However, he later began to favor simple, mountain cabin-style spaces. At Fuji Country Club in Shizuoka Prefecture, he attempted a single-story wooden building. The simple exterior reflects Raymond's architectural philosophy of 'making the most of the appeal of the materials.'"

One of Raymond's most acclaimed masterpieces is the south wing of the clubhouse at Moji Golf Club in Fukuoka Prefecture. The structure is made of reinforced concrete, but the log frame is exposed on the ceiling, and it also incorporates an irori-style fireplace and shoji screens. Raymond's spatial design, which combines Western architectural style with Japanese elements, is also distinctive.

"At Shirakawa Kogen Country Club in Fukushima Prefecture, we also built a clubhouse in the gassho-style style with a thatched roof. Raymond always intended for his architecture to blend in with the surrounding landscape and natural environment. In the case of the clubhouse, he added the additional guideline that 'the course comes first.'
For example, just as you would listen to the occupants' ideals when designing a house, in the case of a clubhouse we first listened to the course designer and shared our vision. We considered the roof line and building shape to match the undulating features of the course, and designed it to reflect how it would look from the perspective of the course."

Mr. Miura says this, and even after Raymond's passing, he has continued to carry on his spirit by working on clubhouses all over Japan.

"I was conscious of how the clubhouse would look from the 18th and 9th holes, the final holes. I wanted it to not obstruct the players' view, but to exist beautifully within the scenery. I tried to keep in mind Raymond's philosophy of 'coexisting with nature' and 'not having buildings that stand out.'"

You can go now! Raymond's clubhouse

Carrying on Raymond's spirit: A clubhouse that coexists with nature