An Early Work by Tange Kenzo
The Sumi Hall (墨会館) is an office building designed by Tange Kenzo of 1957 in Konobu Nakashima, Ichinomiya City, Aichi Prefecture, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on July 8, 2008 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records a reinforced-concrete building of one storey, partly two, with a building area of 2,089 square metres; registration number 23-0308.
An Office Block and a Hall Block
The Sumi Hall is a reinforced-concrete office building designed by Tange Kenzo (Agency for Cultural Affairs). On a trapezoidal site, a two-storey office block lies along the north edge and a single-storey hall block fills the south, joined by an entrance porch.
The ground-floor outer walls are non-structural, with a slit along the top to let in light (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Why It Was Registered
The Agency describes it as a fine work showing the features of Tange's early career, such as double-beam girders and exposed concrete, and registered it as a model of design.
What to Look For
Look for the double-beam girders, the exposed concrete and the light slit along the top of the ground-floor walls (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Visiting
It is owned by Ichinomiya City (Agency for Cultural Affairs). No official information on visiting was found.
Q&A
- When was the Sumi Hall built?
- In 1957 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- Who designed it?
- Tange Kenzo.
- How is it laid out?
- A two-storey office block on the north and a single-storey hall block on the south, joined by an entrance porch.
- What marks it as early Tange?
- Double-beam girders and exposed concrete.
- When was the Sumi Hall registered?
- On July 8, 2008 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Sumi Hall (墨会館) |
|---|---|
| Location | 11-1 Konobu Nakashima, Ichinomiya City, Aichi Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2008/07/08 (Heisei 20) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Reinforced concrete, 1 storey (partly 2), 2,089 m² |
| Owner | Ichinomiya City |
| Public Access | No official visiting information |
References
- Sumi Hall (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00007215
Last verified: 2026.10.19