Frank Lloyd Wright's Imperial Hotel

This book is no longer in print. As far as I know it is the only book devoted solely to the Imperial Hotel. It is a small book consisting of an introduction, 63 black and white plates, a front elevation and floor plans. It is unfortunate that color pictures could not be taken. Its original printing was in 1968. Given the books limitations, much can be learned from this book about FLW's Imperial Hotel. The Imperial Hotel was completed in 1915. The color of the main materials consisted of beige scored brick, green volcanic stone and verde green copper roof. This was one of the first successful earthquake proof buildings. It is clear from the pictures that after only 45 years, the building was approaching a state of ruin. It appears that while the Imperial Hotel may have been neglected, the bad choice of materials in such a moist climate as Japan may have accelerated its demise. The attention to detail in the stone work is stunning. However, due to the porous properties of the stone, it appears to have fallen apart. The cost to restore and maintain this facility would have been enormous. While there was interest in restoration, the cost and the fact that this was an American designed facility within just two (2) decades of two (2) nuclear bombs being dropped on Japan, the decision to demo this facility must have been a no brainer. Another flaw that may have contributed to lack of customer interest may have been the inferior interior lighting. While the interior is stunning, the interior appears to have been dark and from the pictures, one can see various attempts to apply modern lighting to correct the problem. Still there is no doubt in my mind, this was FLW's greatest work; a perfect example of FLW's unity in organic architecture.

This book is about the Imperial hotel built by Frank Lloyd Wright in Tokyo during the Meiji era. It has been quite famous after the Kanto Big Earthquake in 1923 because it was not collapsed by the earthquake.