In Memoriam: Professor Fumihiko Maki
Pritzker Prize-winning architect Fumihiko Maki recently passed away at the age of 95. Maki鈥檚 signature fusion of Eastern and Western cultures can be seen in iconic buildings around the world, including the in Toronto, the in Ottawa, and our own in London. 鈥淚n our office, we are calling this the trilogy,鈥� remarked Gary Kamemoto, Director of International Projects for Maki and Associates, in . 鈥淭here鈥檚 a certain modernity which responds to the external environment, to the Western world, on the outside. But on the inside, there鈥檚 a very unique ambience which is a nod to Islamic culture and design.鈥� Each of Maki鈥檚 buildings around the world acts as a beacon to its users, anchoring their presence in the neighbourhood with bold facades and evocative silhouettes. 鈥淗e is a modernist who has fused the best of both Eastern and Western cultures to create an architecture representing the age-old qualities of his native country while, at the same time, juxtaposing contemporary construction methods and materials,鈥� notes the jury in his Pritzker Architecture Prize citation. For the Aga Khan Centre, this is realised in an exterior of white limestone and fritted glass, contrasting the Portland stone look of many London heritage sites with darker brick characteristic of King鈥檚 Cross鈥檚 industrial history.听
Professor Maki (right) sits with his associate Gary Kamemoto in the Aga Khan Library. Both worked on the design of the Aga Khan Centre. Photo from the .
鈥淔umihiko Maki lived a life of remarkable achievement and fulfilment,鈥� an official statement from Maki and Associates reads. 鈥淲e earnestly hope that the architectural works created under his leadership at Maki and Associates will be deeply loved and continue to enrich communities for generations to come.鈥�听
The Courtyard of Harmony, nested in the western wall of the Aga Khan Centre, is an example of the subtle beauty of Maki鈥檚 architecture. Photo by Edmund Sumner.
鈥淗is buildings look very simple and it鈥檚 only when you work on them that you realize how complex it is to make something simple,鈥� comments Naguib Kheraj, IIS Governor. The Aga Khan Centre is filled with examples of this intricate simplicity, from its geometric motif, a staple of all of Maki鈥檚 projects with His Highness the Aga Khan, to the ceramic frit on the windows, brightening the building鈥檚 interior and exterior in London鈥檚 often gloomy climate.听
鈥淗e was a true giant!鈥� commented Dr Omar Al铆-de-Unzaga when he heard the news of Professor Maki鈥檚 passing. 鈥淲e shall honour his memory by making the best use of [the Aga Khan Centre].鈥� These buildings are a testament to the shared visions of both Maki and His Highness the Aga Khan and will continue to preserve their legacies.
