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Short Biography of Kengo Kuma

Born in 1954 in Yokohama, Japan, Kengo Kuma is considered one of the most significant contemporary Japanese architects. After graduating from the University of Tokyo in 1979, he studied at Columbia University for two years and founded his own firm, Kengo Kuma & Associates, in 1987. Kuma's design philosophy emphasizes the emotional content of materials and their connection to Japanese traditions and construction techniques. Notable projects that showcase his approach include the Stone Museum and Ando Hiroshige Museum from 2000.

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123 views2 pages

Short Biography of Kengo Kuma

Born in 1954 in Yokohama, Japan, Kengo Kuma is considered one of the most significant contemporary Japanese architects. After graduating from the University of Tokyo in 1979, he studied at Columbia University for two years and founded his own firm, Kengo Kuma & Associates, in 1987. Kuma's design philosophy emphasizes the emotional content of materials and their connection to Japanese traditions and construction techniques. Notable projects that showcase his approach include the Stone Museum and Ando Hiroshige Museum from 2000.

Uploaded by

Marija Popcevska
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Short biography of Kengo Kuma

Born in Yokohama in the Kanagawa prefecture, Kengo Kuma (1954) is considered one
of the most significant contemporary Japanese architects.
After graduating from the University of Tokyo (1979), he studied at Colombia University
for two years as a visiting researcher (1985-86).
In 1987 he founded the Spatial Design Studio (now Kengo Kuma & Associates) and
opened his Paris Studio in 2008.

His design vision expresses the emotional content of materials, linked to intrinsic
characteristics in construction and the teachings of Japanese traditions.

Projects such as the Stone Museum (2000) and Ando Hiroshige Museum (2000), both
in Nasu, in the Tochigi Prefecture, the Takanezawa Plaza, Shiotanigun (Tochigi, 2006)
and Suntory Museum of Art, Tokyo (2007) are exceedingly relevant to fully grasp his
design philosophy. More recent, small-scale yet highly significant projects include
places for meditation constructed of wood, such as the Taoist Temple at Hsinchu
(Taiwan, 2018) and Meditation House, Krun (Germany, 2019).
In addition to wood, Kuma often favors using “alternative” materials including stone,
ceramics, bamboo, plastic and vinyl. In fact, the most evident and marked design
innovation in Kuma’s projects is his deeply rooted relationship with Japanese tradition.
Fundamental to his body of work is the use of light, with which he tries to achieve a
feeling of “spatial immateriality” by using natural materials or glass. The Plastic House
(2002) and Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center (2012), both in Tokyo, and the
Fonds Régional D’art Contemporain (FRAC), Marseilles (2012) are clear examples of
this perspective, the latter featuring distinctive facades covered with semi-transparent
glass panels.
In fact, his acclaimed, expressive “embellished” facades are indicative of his distinctive
architectural features. The Wuxi Vanke Complex (2014) and Hongkou Soho skyscraper,
Shanghai (2015) are obvious examples.
For Kuma, studying the site is essential to integrate a project within its surroundings, so
that it will not disturb the balance and also appears naturally derived.
Practical examples of this are the Great (Bamboo) Wall House, Peking (2002),
Yusuhara Wooden Bridge Museum, Tarougawa (2010) and Cité des Arts et de la
Culture, Besançon (2012)

As Kuma himself stated, the construction therefore becomes a total environment in


which everything dissolves, where there is no fragmentation of spaces, where
boundaries disappear”.
Over the years, alongside his practical and theoretical work, Kuma has had a long
academic career. Currently professor at the University of Tokyo, he has also taught at
Colombia University, the University of Illinois and Keio University.
Numerous awards include the Architectural Institute of Japan (1997), Spirit of Nature
Wood Architecture Award, Finland (2002), International Architecture Award for the Best
New Global Design (2007), and the honorary title Officier de l’Ordre des Arts et des
Lettres della Repubblica Francese (2009).

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