Atomic Bomb Dome -Architectural Map

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not just the symbol of world peace but respectable architecture

	DATA

	address / 1-10 Ote-machi Naka-ku, Hiroshima City architect / Jan LETZEL completion / Apr 1915 size / total floor 3,069m2 (before bombed) structure / brick , RC(partly) original use / exhibition hall mapion map Japanese page is here

A-Bomb Dome, the best-known sightseeing spot in Hiroshima, was inscribed as a World Heritage site^{(1) 1)}. And this secession architecture with elliptical dome was also seeing spot before bombed.

This building had large windows and so thin wall that it contained defection of quake-proof⁽²⁾. So it was destroyed completely by A-Bomb although some buildings around it were destroyed partly. But it became a symbol of world peace because it was ruined building. Local govrnment decided to keep it permanently by using resin and steel-frame, but it is confronted with the crisis of collapse at all times.

This building was designed by Jan LETZEL, Czech architect. He worked as a designer of art nouveau in Prague. I saw one of his work in Prague, and it was art nouveau building(photo#4). Young LETZEL determined to come to Japan like other designers attracted by art nouveau. He established his own studio in Tokyo and designed many buildings of semi-Japanese style (e.g. Matsushima Park Hotel).

Hiroshima Prefectual Industrial Exhibition Hall (A-Bomb Dome) was built for promotion of products in Hiroshima. TERADA who was the governor of Hiroshima Pref. asked LETZEL to be an architect of the project. Exhibition and cultural events are held at this building before WW II.

Now, I think this architecture is sperior to buildings around in riverscape design(photo#3, #6). I surmise that LETZEL read the context riverbank as a landing place and designed it⁽³⁾. Local government constructed riverbank open space after the war, but most buildings face the road, not the river. We should revaluate reverscape through "The Dome".

Atomic Bomb Dome
Old Prefectural Industrial Exhibition Hall

#1
#2	#3 facade faces river
#4 Grand Hotel Europa in Prague was partly designed by Jan LETZEL	#5 fountain
#6 CCI^* building destroies the townscape (^*Chamber of Commerce and Industry)	#7
#8	#9

#10, #11 memorial service on "The Day" Aug 6

[access]


		TRAM "Genbaku Domu Mae"

		BUS "Kamiya-cho" "Bus Center"

[footnotes]
(1) A-Bomb Dome was entered in World Heritage List (UNESCO), though USA and China opposed.
(2) LETZEL slighted earthquakes. For example, Sophia Univ. designed by him was destroyed completely by Great Kanto Earthquake (1923).
(3) I have no evidence. That's my guess.

[references]
1) World Heritage (UNESCO) http://www.unesco.jp/contents/isan/
2) Peace Memorial Museum http://www.pcf.city.hiroshima.jp/index2.html

latest renewal : Sep 4 2003
writer : makoto/arch-hiroshima
camera : Canon Power Shot G3

arch-hiroshima the architecture guide of Hiroshima

Hiroshima INDEX