ABOUT US
We are conscious of creating ever-flowing spaces with a story to tell regardless of project type or scale.
We are an architectural studio founded by Yuichi Kodai (Japan) and Claudia Maggi (UK-Italy) in 2017 in Kyoto, Japan. The studio moved to Zurich, Switzerland, to establish kodai and associates GmbH in 2018.
Yuichi worked with Herzog & de Meuron in Basel and London for several years before setting up an architectural department with Kohei Nawa in SANDWICH, Kyoto, also known as Creative Platform for Contemporary Art. He finished the award-winning project, Kohtei, in Hiroshima prefecture before establishing the studio with Claudia. He also works at HILDEBRAND Studios.
Claudia worked at Kohn Pederson Fox (KPF) in London for many years and has worked on several large and complex projects, including Herron Tower, once the tallest skyscraper in London. She then established the studio with Yuichi.
OUR COMMITMENT
We perceive notional connections between spaces through site-specific environmental conditions. Our philosophy is to carefully calibrate requirements and desires to create a timeless and unique space. We propose spaces that one can experience through carefully composed proportions and chosen materials to translate indoor-outdoor relationships. We use our past experiences in architecture, art, and landscape to create a comprehensive experience.
Our work encompasses a multitude of scales and scopes across Japan, Switzerland, Europe and the UK. The portfolio ranges from residential, commercial, landscape and cultural projects. We work with four key design mindsets:
1・Working with "the presence of the site."
2・Integrating "nature and environment."
3・Considering "human value and scale."
4・Embedding "the power of the material."
OUR COLLABORATION
Collaboration is our key Aspect of realizing a successful project. We work very closely with the client to draw a scheme that can work spatially and functionally. We collaborate alongside craftsmen, masters with special skills, specialists, engineers, and local architects to translate the vision into a reality. We carry out our design services from Zürich to Europe and Asia; working in different countries influences how we approach our work and often results in a cross-cultural product.
The studio holds a broad understanding of the relationship between art and space. Yuichi worked with various creative sectors in Japan, and his experience with Herzog & de Meuron and Kohei Nawa exposed him to a culturally rich and creative environment. We now also work with galleries and private collectors who hold and display masterpiece arts and contemporary arts. We learn the mindset of an artist, their values, and their time as part of the process, which enables us to craft an environment that balances both art and architecture.
ART
LANDSCAPE | GARDEN
The studio believes landscape and garden are the fascinating aspects to establish an interior and its environment. Yuichi's mind is rooted in Kyoto, where historic temples, shrines, and gardens surrounded him. We develop a landscape and garden scheme to establish an alternative living that becomes part of our way of life. Contemplation, tranquillity, peacefulness, and personal connection to the outside become part of ever-flowing spaces.
We work with landscaping professionals to achieve inseparable relationships between inside and outside.
Landscaping & Garden Partner in the United Kingdom
Harrison Landscaping & OLA
Their work is of the highest quality, and they have worked on many award-winning show gardens at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, RHS Hampton Court Palace and RHS Tatton Park Flower Show. Our latest project with them has been the "Chalk Garden".
Yuichi Kodai
Director / Architect
Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA)
Architecture Registration Board (ARB)
He graduated from AA School in London and worked for Swiss architectural practise Herzog & de Meuron between 2005 and 2013. He worked on several high profile international projects. Particularly, he was a core design team member of Perez Art Museum, Miami and looked after Gallery, Landscape and Roof. He became part of the realisation team on TATE Modern to complete the building.
He founded the architecture department in SANDWICH Inc. in Kyoto in 2013. He completed the award-winning building, KOHTEI, in Fukuyama City, Hiroshima, in 2017.
He also works for HILDEBRAND Studios with whom he shares a common view of architectural principles. Together they completed a gallery space, GYRE GALLERY, in Omotesando, Tokyo.
EDUCATION
Born in Kyoto, Japan
2001
University of East London
2005
Architectural Association School of Architecture
PROFESSIONAL
2005~13
Herzog & de Meuron, Basel and London
- Perez Art Museum Miami, Miami ⇒ link
- Blavatnik School of Government, Oxford ⇒ link
- BBVA Headquarters, Madrid ⇒ link
- 1111 Lincoln Road, Miami ⇒ link
- Archi di Luce, Lugano ⇒ link
other international projects
2013~17
Established
SANDWICH, Architecture,
Kyoto, Japan
- KOHTEI, Fukuyama City, Japan ⇒ link
* JIA Chugoku Regional Award, Shinshyo-ji
* German Design Council ICONIC AWARD
2017
Established
kodai and associates
Kyoto, Japan
2018
Joined HILDEBRAND Studios AG
2019
Established
kodai and associates GmbH
Zurich, Switzerland
ACADEMIC
2016~17
Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD)
- Visiting Assistant Professor
2013~17
Kyoto University of Art and Design,
- Architecture Course
- Fine Art Course, Mix-media
2014~17
Kurashiki Art and Science University
- Fine Arts Course
Claudia Maggi
Founder / Architect
Architecture Registration Board (ARB)
She graduated from AA School in London and worked for American architectural practice Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF) in London between 2005 and 2014. Her major achievement in the company was to work on Heron Tower, where she spent several years overseeing from the design stage to the completion of the project, at the time the tallest skyscraper in London. She also worked on a number of high-rise and confidential commercial projects developing a broad experience in all stages of work.
EDUCATION:
Born in Harrogate, United Kingdom
2001
University College London,
The Bartlett School of Architecture
2005
Architectural Association School of Architecture
PROFESSIONAL
2005~14
Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates, London
- Vauxhall Tower, London
- Bishopsgate Tower, London
other confidential projects
2017
Established
kodai and associates
Kyoto, Japan
2019
Established
kodai and associates GmbH
Zurich, Switzerland
WE WOULD LIKE TO HELP
We want to help you import or locally produce Japanese elements to fit your environment. In the past, we imported Hinoki (Japanese cypress) bathtub, Naguri flooring and many other goods. We value cross-cultural activity and love to contribute to East meets West ventures.
Please get in touch with us for any enquiries.