Abstract

Kengo Kuma, the master of harmony, talks about the roots of his unique philosophy of "losing architecture" along with his upbringing. A must-read introduction to Kuma's architecture!

Author’s Information

Born in 1954. Graduated from the University of Tokyo Graduate School of Architecture. Established Kengo Kuma & Associates in 1990. After working as a professor at the University of Tokyo, he is currently a Distinguished Professor and Professor Emeritus at the University of Tokyo. In 1964, he was inspired by Tange Kenzo's Yoyogi National Gymnasium, designed for the Tokyo Olympics, and decided to become an architect at an early age. He studied under Hara Hiroshi and Uchida Yoshiya at university, and crossed the Sahara Desert in Africa during graduate school. He surveyed villages and was awakened to their beauty and power. After serving as a visiting researcher at Columbia University, he established Kengo Kuma & Associates in 1990. He has designed buildings in over 30 countries, with over 200 projects in progress simultaneously both in Japan and overseas. He has received various awards both in Japan and overseas, including the International Wood Architecture Award from Finland and the International Stone Architecture Award from Italy.