A Woodworker’s Retreat: George Nakashima’s Arts Building and Cloister

Exhibition Opening Reception & Remarks
Thursday, March 30, 2017
5:30pm to 7:30pm

This exhibition explores the significance of the Arts Building and Cloister (1963-67), a structure designed by woodworker George Nakashima (1905-90) and built on his property in New Hope, Pennsylvania. Intended as a place for artistic exchange and dedication, the Arts Building and Cloister is one of over a dozen designs Nakashima built on his property to support his woodworking efforts and to house his family. Both traditional in terms of craft techniques and radical in terms of its experimental roof structure, has been the focus of an intense study to assess its history, condition and future (funded by the Getty Conservation Institute through their “Keeping it Modern” program).

Works on view will include original design drawings and studies for the building, period photographs and a few surprises.

Questions? Please contact the Architectural Archives at (215) 898-8323

This exhibition has been made possible by the generous support of the Georgia Hencken Perkins Endowment and the Friends of the Architectural Archives.