NEWS | November 2024
Interview | Yuichi Kodai & Claudia Maggi on work ethics and design philosophy
1. Can you share with us the story behind the founding of Kodai and Associates?
Kodai and Associates was originally founded in Kyoto and is now based in Zurich, led by myself, Yuichi Kodai, and Claudia Maggi. My time is now evenly split between Japan and Europe. Over the years, I’ve observed a significant shift in how my culture is perceived globally, as the internet has expanded access, making these aesthetics and values more recognisable to the broader public. From the beginning, I wanted to create spaces with a feeling that transcends cultural differences and sparks curiosity. Japan and the West share a long history of cultural exchange, beginning with the 1867 Paris Expo. This influence continued with modernist architects like Le Corbusier, Mies van der Rohe, and Frank Lloyd Wright, and was furthered in the 1990s by Tadao Ando’s work, which continues to inspire Swiss and Western architects. Our foundation is strong and now ready to pursue a new level of harmonisation that respects each culture’s identity. We aim to build upon this layer, blending these influences into spaces that feel both authentic and harmonious, instilling a sense of wonder that invites deeper engagement.
2. What are the core vision and philosophy of your company?
We intend to fuse the core values of my heritage within a Western context through our architecture. Growing up in Kyoto, I was immersed in the rich historical layers and creative traditions that shape our architectural environment—values that, I believe, resonate universally, regardless of nationality or religion. Our vision is to create timeless, borderless environments by harmonising client narratives and their origin, local materials, and sustainable practices. We blend Eastern and Western influences, with a focus on integrating art, architecture, and garden landscapes, to create spaces that not only serve a functional purpose but also foster a deeper connection between people and their surroundings. Ultimately, we aim to evoke a sense of “wonder,” inviting occupants to explore and connect with the space on a deeper level, discovering new perspectives and nuances each time they engage with it.
3. What has been your most rewarding project to date, and what made it special for you?
The KOHTEI project, a Zen temple completed in 2016 when I was the Director of Architecture at SANDWICH, in collaboration with contemporary artist Kohei Nawa in Kyoto, remains one of the most representative projects of my career. This building contains all the themes I continue to explore today, including art, architecture, garden, landscape, and craftsmanship, all realised as a comprehensive experience inspired by Zen teachings. Historically, noble temples in Kyoto introduced cutting-edge ideas and designs that gradually influenced the mindset and aesthetic sensibilities of townhouse and villa design across the city. I see KOHTEI in the same way—as a source of inspiration from which I can decompose elements and integrate them into my individual projects, adapting them to everyday life. Through this project, I came to value the power of “wonder” in architecture. It taught me that there is no right or wrong way to understand a space, as each person’s experience can be uniquely moving. KOHTEI is a contemplative space that embodies this openness, reminding me of architecture’s role in sparking curiosity and enriching our inner lives through moments of wonder.
4. How do cultural elements from Europe influence your projects?
European culture—particularly from Switzerland, the UK, France, and Italy—has significantly shaped my approach. My time with Herzog & de Meuron broadened my perspective on working with diverse cultural elements, showing me how different traditions can coexist in design. The Swiss dedication to precision and craftsmanship aligns with values of detail and refinement from my heritage. In the UK, I’m inspired by the respect for heritage and the blend of tradition with modernity. France brings an appreciation for elegance and artistry, while Italy’s deep historical context, combined with its emphasis on materiality and traditional crafts, enriches my understanding of architectural lineage and timeless design. These diverse European influences allow me to reinterpret my design principles in ways that resonate with a Western audience, creating spaces that honour my background while embracing the unique qualities of these cultures.
5. How do you integrate the aesthetics of your heritage within a Swiss context, and do you find this process challenging?
Integrating my heritage’s aesthetics into Switzerland feels natural because both cultures share a profound reverence for nature. Our nations view mountains, rivers, and lakes as sources of our soul. I strive to extract this essence in each project, drawing from these landscapes and allowing nature to shape the design. By accessing the client’s values and combining lifestyle elements from both Switzerland and my background, we create environments that reflect a deep respect for each client’s past while embracing contemporary ways of living. This approach allows us to shape spaces that honour the distinct identities of both cultures yet feel cohesive and harmonious. Through our work, we hope to demonstrate that cultural fusion can enrich daily life, offering a unique balance that feels both familiar and refreshingly new while resonating universally with clients.
6. Can you provide examples of how you have integrated local materials or craftsmanship into your designs, and what do you aim to achieve with it?
I introduce my values through interior architecture and garden design, working with universally available materials—wood, stone, concrete, and plants—but employing them in ways that create a meaningful connection to the local environment. For example, in a recent project in Zurich, I used locally sourced maple and elm wood, clay, and stones to design a space that feels immediately connected to natural light, views, and the surrounding landscape. Both Swiss and Japanese approaches share a commitment to precision, resulting in an immaculate level of detail in execution. For stone, I often choose materials from Switzerland which creates a distinctive scenic element. The natural coloration of these stones is very familiar fostering an immediate sense of connection with the design. By thoughtfully positioning and juxtaposing these stones to relate directly to nature, we create an element of “wonder” that invites daily discovery. The experience of the garden evolves throughout the seasons and over the years, responding to the viewer’s mood and state of mind.
7. Finally, what upcoming projects are you most excited about?
I’m currently working on two projects that are particularly exciting. The first is a mountain hut situated at an altitude of 1800m in Switzerland, which will serve as a base for my client’s glacier skiing and mountain hiking adventures. This client deeply values time with family and friends, which shapes the dynamics of the space. I’ve adapted the design to reflect this, blending functional simplicity with the rugged beauty of the alpine landscape to create an environment that supports shared experiences and connection to nature. The second project is an art gallery for Stuart Lochhead Sculpture on Old Bond Street in London. This gallery, which focuses on pre-19th century masterworks, allows me to explore my architectural beliefs in a Western context, engaging with historical art forms through a modern lens. Both projects offer unique opportunities to fuse Eastern and Western influences, making them especially meaningful to me. Looking ahead, I see these projects as stepping stones toward deeper cultural fusion in future works, pushing Kodai and Associates further into new, innovative directions. Ultimately, my vision is to create a Gesamtkunstwerk—a total work of art—where the interior and garden form a cohesive whole, harmonising architecture and landscape to enrich how people experience their surroundings.
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