Reviving Modernist Heritage: Dehli Grolimund Restores Shinohara's Umbrella House

Dehli Grolimund, a Zurich-based architectural firm, has made waves in the design world with its meticulous restoration of Kazuo Shinohara's iconic Umbrella House. This project highlights the firm's commitment to architectural preservation and innovation.

Founded in 2019 by Christian Dehli and Andrea Grolimund, the studio operates at the intersection of architecture, research, and publishing. Both architects honed their skills at ETH Zurich and have garnered experience from notable firms in Switzerland and Japan, including Herzog & de Meuron. Their approach to architecture emphasizes learning through exploration and experience.

The Umbrella House, originally constructed in 1961 in Nerima, Tokyo, is a prime example of Shinohara's First Style, featuring a compact design that offers a unique domestic experience. The house's 55 square meters encompass essential living spaces under a striking timber roof that rises to 4 meters, embodying a manifesto of minimalist living.

After being spared from demolition, the house underwent a comprehensive restoration process from 2020 to 2022, which included meticulous documentation and relocation to the Vitra Campus in Weil am Rhein, Germany. Dehli Grolimund's role as co-architects ensured that every detail, from materials to color schemes, was executed with scholarly precision.

This noteworthy project is part of the 2026 Wallpaper* Architects’ Directory, which celebrates emerging architectural talents globally. Dehli Grolimund's inclusion underscores their significant contributions to contemporary architecture and their dedication to preserving modernist legacies.

Source: www.wallpaper.com