Urabe, Shizutaro

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Urabe, Shizutaro (1909–91). Japanese architect. Much of his work was carried out in Kurashiki (his birthplace), near Okayama, the vernacular architecture of which was largely constructed of beaten earth and brick, to which he responded with sensitivity, reorganizing traditional warehouses and other buildings. His most celebrated work was Kurashiki Ivy Square (1970–4), a conversion of some brick-built industrial buildings into a Cultural Centre for Youth, complete with exhibition areas, refreshment facilities, and lecture-rooms. Other works included the Historical Archives Building, Yokohama (1981), and the Kanagawa Prefectural Archives of Modern Literature, Yokohama Women's University (1984).

Bibliography

Kalman (1994)