Kendrick Bangs Kellogg / Japan

Hoshino Chapel or Uchimura Kanzo Memorial Stone Church in Karuizawa, Japan by San Diego architect Kendrick Bangs Kellogg (1988). 

I went to Japan for a couple weeks. This is my first report back. A post about a hometown guy who recently passed seems like a good way to start it off.

The goal of this project was to integrate the architecture into the natural surrounding. In addition to the use of local stone, the building's form was designed to blend in with the landscape and topography.  As the church describes it, "Organic architecture aims to be in harmony with nature." Kellogg walked the area  and was "...inspired by the land itself, creating a unique architecture that deeply resonates with the four seasons of Karuizawa and the philosophy of Kanzo Uchimura."

Source: Stone Church

It's a very popular wedding venue. Some tout it as the "most popular" in Japan. After a three hour Shinkansen train journey from Tokyo, I almost didn't get to see the it. Luckily, the wedding was over in an hour so it gave me time to walk down the hill to a nice creekside bakery. 

Karuizawa, in the Nagano prefecture  is a mountain resort town that is popular in the summer for cooler temperatures and for skiing in the winter. There's a surprising amount of good modern architecture in the area. I was able to visit a few on my day trip to the tony town.

The philosophy of Uchimura Kanzo is based on the non-church movement, “where you pray is the church.” There is no cross in the church. Kanzo said The Greatest Legacy to Future Generations," "Bible Study," and "No Church." In this case, I think they made a church that defeats that argument.

John Vugrin, a frequent Kellogg collaborator, spent nearly half a year in Japan overseeing the construction of the chapel. The San Diego artist's wood work is also prominently displayed in the project. In addition to the doors, there are the pews and an offering chest. Vurgin studied under Jack Rogers Hopkins at San Diego State, which certainly had an influence on him stylistically.

Although I was able to go into the actual chapel and sit in the pews, they didn't allow photos. So here is one from: Onion House

And another from the book, Stone.

The skylights between the concrete ribs creates some dramatic lighting.

These stairs lead to the bottom level, which serves as the commemorative hall and sort of museum about Uchimura Kanzo.

 The initial design of the building called for marble to be used as the flooring throughout the church. There was an issue getting the material, so Kellogg changed much of it to inlaid local stone. 

 Rear entryway

The Hoshino Stone Church was being built during the time Kellogg and Vugrin were working on the High Desert or Doolittle House, in Joshua Tree. That projected was started in 1984 and completed in 1993.

More about Kellogg at Modern San Diego.

On June 15th, the Sam Maloof Foundation is hosting John Vugrin for a special talk and film on his work, in conjunction with their Hopkins exhibition, curated by Katie Nartonis.