Exploring Shofuso: A Cultural Gem in Philadelphia

Okay, I’ll start by saying that this may or may not be an old trip by now… BUT, I do still want to talk about it and highlight a place I have grown to admire and love!

The Trip:

This trip was arranged by the Philadelphia chapter of the Asian American Pacific Islander Design Alliance (AAPIDA) group. I joined this wonderful group after being a plus-one for an event with a friend who is a member. I did not think I would be able to join at first because I am not of Asian or Pacific Islander descent, but I was welcomed with open arms and invited to join as an ally! This group is so fun to be a part of, and the events have really gotten me closer to a lot of cultures I had an interest in before joining, so I am really enjoying learning!

Before the event was announced, I had never heard of the name Shofuso. I had heard about a Japanese garden somewhere near Philly, but nothing more about the property or what was on it. When I realized what it was and looked at some photos online, I knew it was going to be an exciting trip! I was in the middle of moving at the time, but I paused everything and drove my packed car all the way to the grounds for this tour!

The morning of the event, I was worried that the weather wasn’t optimal, but it actually ended up adding to the soothing and grounding ambiance of the whole experience.

When we all arrived, we were asked to remove our shoes, and then the tour began. We were walked around the grounds and told the rich history of the property, from the gardens to the building to the people who care for it. We were shown every part of the structure, the gardens, and the artwork throughout as well. After the tour concluded, we were also treated to a short lesson on the basics of conducting a traditional tea ceremony, and got to conduct our own with some delicious matcha tea that was provided!

Additionally, one of the other members of our group delivered a presentation he had prepared and been touring around the country with about the history and significance of Shofuso. It was fascinating! Shoutout Michael 😀

A Brief History:

I want to give a bit of the history of this place so you guys can have an understanding of how cool it is, but I don’t want to spoil the tour, so I’ll keep it short 🙂

Shofuso was originally built in Japan in 1953 – most buildings’ stories end there, but this structure is special. It was designed to be taken apart and reassembled with relative ease! Because of this, it was then transported to the US and first displayed in the MoMA. After its stay there, it found its forever home in Philadelphia as a Japanese cultural icon.

Some interesting facts about this building are that its roof is made of an extremely rare hinoki bark, making it truly special, it has murals throughout done by the artist Hiroshi Senju after vandals destroyed the original work, and it is the only building like this outside of Japan!

It has become a symbol of the amicable relationship between Japan and the US after the war, and is now the site for cultural events and education.

My Thoughts/Highlights:

The very first thought I had when I stepped foot in the space was how gorgeous the wood was. It is of Japanese cypress, so it is not a material that I would ever really see otherwise, and it showed. The details throughout were immaculate, having something beautiful to look at wherever your eyes fell. It was truly inspiring.

The integration of nature into the space was like no other. In some mid-century modern or biophilic designs, this is a factor, but American design just does not capture nature the way Japanese architecture does. It felt like you were outside even when you were inside!

The multi-use concept throughout was also really interesting. Each room had multiple functions, leaving the spaces rather sparse when not in use. This was a little hard to get used to at first because I am a maximalist at heart, but once the initial feeling of emptiness left, it felt nice to have a wide open space that could be used for countless activities.

I really want to use the techniques used in this building in my own creations when I am part of construction. I think that they are uncommon practices in US homes, but they make a space feel so much more inviting and functional (and not to mention stunning!).

The tour has sparked an interest in researching Japanese architecture, techniques, and connections still present in America for myself and my business (more on that later, I’ll definitely write a post about my findings at some point!).

Overall, my thoughts were/are that Shofuso is gorgeous, tranquil, and the perfect place for inspiration.

Moving Forward:

Shofuso had a lasting effect on me and how I want to conduct my design work in the future. This will surely take more research and learning, but I am excited to dive in deeper! I want to visit more and during different times of the year (I HAVE to go for the cherry blossom season), and I’m sure each trip will draw more creativity out of me. For now, I have a new perspective and inspiration for my design choices, but I plan on making more changes in the future as well. You should definitely check this place out if you haven’t already, it’s super worth it! Stay tuned for my Japanese architecture and design deep dive journey 😉