Dr. W.M. Vories, the famous American architect active in Japan

 The other day, I participated in the public opening of Kobe College Vories Architecture in 2025. Kobe College is a historic women's university located in Nishinomiya city, Hyōgo Pref., between Osaka and Kobe.

The Kobe College campus is characterized by the original buildings designed by William Merrell Vories. This campus was built over 90 years ago in 1933. In 2014, twelve buildings in this campus were designated National Important Cultural Property of Japan.

By the way, let me introduce William Merrell Vories. William Merrell Vories was born in Leavenworth, Kansas, USA (October 28, 1880), he was an architect who designed numerous Western-style buildings in Japan, a Protestant Lay Preachers, a social worker, and a businessman. In February 1905, he came to Japan and was appointed as a YMCA-sponsored English teacher at Shiga Prefectural Commercial School (now Shiga Prefectural Hachiman Commercial High School). However, he later became active as an architect and designed a wide variety of American-style buildings throughout Japan, including houses, dormitories, schools, churches, YMCA halls, hospitals, music halls, and department stores.

Here is a little information about the campus along with some pictures. 

⇩The auditorium and chapel building seen from a second-floor window of the library. There is a fountain in the foreground.

⇩Building layout. North is at the top. Actually, all the buildings facing the courtyard are linked by connecting hallway.

⇩The Building of Library is in front, and the Science Building is on the right

⇩Library Main building. This stately building was also designed by Dr. W.M. Vories and constructed when the campus was relocated in 1933. It features cream-colored exterior walls and copper-colored roofing tiles.　

⇩The interior of the library on the second floor. The books are lined up facing north to prevent deterioration due to sunlight. A new four-story building was built to accommodate the growing collection.

⇩The second-floor window in the library. The window frame is also distinctive.

⇩At the entrance to the Memorial auditorium, I first registered for the public opening. At the reception at the auditorium entrance, I paid the participation fee of 500 yen and receive a visitor's pass. In addition to the auditorium, this building also houses a chapel and general affairs offices.

⇩An opening session in the auditorium. At the front of the auditorium is a semicircular proscenium arch, a structure that frames the stage from the audience seats. 

⇩Inside the chapel

⇩Literature Building

⇩Fountain Pond and Science Building.

Photos were taken on September 20th, 2025.