Seiichi Shirai

Architect. Born in Kyoto City. Graduated from Kyoto Higher Technical School in 1928 (Showa 3). While a student, he frequented the Kyoto University Philosophy Department and was influenced by Tosaka Jun and others. After graduation, he studied in Germany, studying architecture and philosophy at the University of Heidelberg and the University of Berlin. Returned to Japan in 1958. From Kyoto he visited Nara every day to study ancient Japanese architecture. From 1960 he worked in architectural design, aiming for a unique and profound form. In 1960 (Showa 35), he won the Takamura Kotaro Award for the Matsuida Town Hall (1955) and the Asakusa Zenshoji Temple Main Hall (1958), and in 1969 he won the Architectural Institute of Japan Award and in 1970 the Mainichi Art Award for the Shinwa Bank Head Office in Sasebo (first phase of construction 1966, completed 1980). In 1980 he won the Japan Art Academy Award. In addition to architectural design, he was also an accomplished calligrapher and was known as a book designer.

[Amada Yoshio]

"Seiichi Shirai, Architecture and its World" (1978, Sekai Bunka Publishing) by Seiichi Shirai ; "Contemporary Architect Seiichi Shirai" (1976, Kajima Publishing) edited by SD Editorial Department

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

建築家。京都市に生まれる。1928年（昭和3）京都高等工芸学校卒業。在学中、京都大学哲学科に出入りし、戸坂潤らの影響を受ける。卒業後ドイツに留学、ハイデルベルク大学とベルリン大学で建築と哲学を学ぶ。33年帰国。京都から奈良へ日参して日本の古代建築を学ぶ。35年以降建築設計に従事、重厚な独自の造型を目ざす。60年（昭和35）に松井田町役場（1955）、浅草善照寺本堂（1958）で高村光太郎賞を、佐世保(させぼ)市の親和銀行本店（第1期工事1966、1980完成）で69年に建築学会賞、70年に毎日芸術賞などを受賞。80年日本芸術院賞を受賞。建築設計のほか書をよくし、装丁家としても知られた。

［天田起雄］

『白井晟一著『白井晟一・建築とその世界』（1978・世界文化社）』▽『SD編集部編『現代の建築家　白井晟一』（1976・鹿島出版会）』

出典　小学館　日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)について　情報 | 凡例