KENZO TANGE &
CONTEMPORARY
PARALLELS IN NEPAL
PRESENTED BY:
SIMRAN CHAUDHARY (41)
SMRITI GAUTAM (42)
SUJANA POUDEL (45)
KENZO TANGE (1913-2005) - OSAKA, JAPAN
Prime time: 1940s to 1980s
Rose to prominence during Japan’s post-WWII reconstruction
His works reflect Japan’s modernization + cultural preservation
DESIGN PHILOSOPHY
Traditional Japanese aesthetics (modularity, harmony with nature,
and symbolic spatial organization) and modernism
Post-war Japan’s spirit of renewal and hope inspired his monumental
and forward-looking designs
INFLUENCES
1. Le Corbusier’s Drawings and International Style
Inspired by Palace of the Soviets drawings
Adopted the International Style’s clarity and modernism,
but blended it with Japanese traditions
Example: Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park
Elevated on pilotis
Use of raw concrete as an expressive material
Modular design principle
2. Post-WWII Shift in Japan
From monarchy to democracy-need for a new national
identity
Adoption of modernist principles as a cultural pivot
INFLUENCES
3. Traditional Japanese Architecture
Modular planning based on tatami mat
dimensions
Use of lightweight materials and flexible spaces
4. Japanese Shrines and Temples
Through spatial hierarchy, axial planning, natural harmony
and quiet symbolism
Use of natural materials and transcendent geometry
Example: Hiroshima Memorial Park reflects this layering of
space and meaning;
a. Public to sacred space through a series of thresholds
b. Long axial approach path
c. Framing of the Atomic Bomb Dome through the cenotaph
INFLUENCED
During 1950 - 1960 - Japan faced overcrowding and
infrastructure crisis which caused the rise of
metabolism movement.
Initiated a new Movement - METABOLISM (Tokyo Bay
Plan)
METABOLISM=buildings as living being, - should be
organic, everchanging with an ability to grow and to
be replaced overtime.
ex. Nakagin capsule = Kiso Kukawa
Tokyo Bay Plan (1960)
-Proposal of a city that could expand and
evolve over time, like biological systems
do
-Designed as series of modular
infrastructures, bridges, transportation
corridors and nodes over water
-Multi layered systems of movement-for
cars, trains, pedestrians- all
interconnected
METABOLIST
MOVEMENT
Radical post-war architecture movement focusing on
organic growth, adaptability and megastructures
Emphasized buildings and cities as living organisms,
capable of change and evolution over time
Key features:
Modular, prefabricated units
Flexible, expandable structures
Urban designs responding dynamically to population
growth and social change
Cities as dynamic and constantly changing systems,
much like living organisms undergoing metabolism
Shizuoka Press and Yamanashi Press and Broadcasting Center
Broadcasting Center
CONNECTION TO ART,
CRAFT, LITERATURE
RESONANCE WITH JAPANESE ARTISTIC
TRADITIONS
EXAMPLE: Ma-pause between forms, a purposeful,
relational space that enhances perception and
experience
Example: Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park (1955)
The open plaza between the Peace Memorial
Museum, the Cenotaph, and the Atomic Bomb
Dome is a powerful use of ma.
The axial alignment creates visual and emotional
tension through space, inviting contemplation and
remembrance.
PRINCIPLES AND THROUGHT PROCESS
Fusion of Tradition and modernity
= traditional Japanese form - sweeping roof in Yoyogi
gymnasium with modern technology and material. (aluminum
panel and steel decking)
Modular planning or human scale
= use of Tatami mat dimension as modular grid for layout.
Suspension cable in Yoyogi Gymnasium
ex. Kenzo Tange house- room size in Tatami unit dimension with
movable partition.
Expression of structure and technology
=ex. Yoyogi Gymnasium - Suspension cable part of design
language .
Contextual response
=Not just function or style but response to site
ex. view of atomic destructed dome through arched cenotaph
Kenzo Tange house
Arched Cenotaph of Hiroshima Tatami mat grid layout in Kenzo Tange housei
peace memorial park
HIROSHIMA PEACE MEMORIAL PARK
HIROSHIMA PEACE MEMORIAL PARK
Location: Naka Ward, Hiroshima
City, Japan
Established: 1954
Site area: 122100 sq m
Type: Museum and community
center
Purpose: Expression of Japan’s
desire for genuine and lasting peace
Architectural Style: integration of
modernist principles with Japanese
traditions
HIROSHIMA PEACE MEMORIAL PARK
PEACE
MEMORIAL
Structures align along the Axis of COMPLEX
Peace, connecting the Peace
Memorial Complex, Cenotaph, PLAZA
and Atomic Bomb Dome.
This powerful sightline links past CENOTAPH
tragedy with future hope, inviting
reflection and remembrance.
HIROSHIMA PEACE MEMORIAL CENTRE
INFLUENCES ON HIS DESIGNS
SIMPLE RECTANGULAR FORM
Visitors enter via a 100-
meter-wide boulevard and
encounter an elevated
concrete museum
symbolizing resilience and a
commitment to peace.
Tange’s designs reflect a
strong influence from Le
Corbusier, particularly in
their modernist form and
RIBBON WINDOWS ECHOES FREE structural expression.
STRUCTURE RAISED
FACADE CONCEPT
BY PILOTIS
RAW CONCRETE SURFACES
EMPHASIZING HONESTY IN
MATERIAL
TRADITIONAL JAPANESE INFLUENCES
PILOTIS
ENGAWA
Traditional Influence:
Engawa (raised floors) create a buffer between interior and exterior,
promoting reflection and transition.
IN THE MUSEUM: The museum is elevated on pilotis, combining
modernist design with the traditional practice of raising buildings for
symbolic and climatic purposes.
FUSION OF MODERN AND TRADITIONAL
A B B A B B A
A B B A A A BB
KENZO TANGE HOME HIROSHIMA PEACE MEMORIAL CENTRE
USE OF a-b-b-a sequence merges machine-like order
(modernism).
The a-b-a-a-b-a pattern has rhythm with slight variation,
reflecting Japanese tradition, which values natural, uneven
beauty over perfect symmetry.
MEMORIAL CENOTAPH
The cenotaph frames the Atomic Bomb Dome, linking
past tragedy with future hope, creating a meaningful
visual axis.
The cenotaph’s curved, saddle-like shape echoes
ancient Japanese burial mounds and haniwa figures,
symbolizing protection and honoring ancestors. This links
the memorial to Japan’s tradition of respectful, organic
forms.
concrete structure
Atomic bomb dome
EG : HANIWA FIGURES
YOYOGI NATIONAL GYMNASIUM
INTRODUCTION
Location: Yoyogi Park, Tokyo, Japan
Construction date: Between 1961 - 1964
Purpose: to house swimming and dining events in
1964 Summer Olympics
blending traditional Japanese design with
advanced engineering and modern materials.
The roof is formed by two semi-circles slightly offset
from each other, with their open ends extended into
points, resembling the shape of a snail.
TRADITIONAL INFLUENCES
Influenced via union of innovative western
technology and traditional Japanese Pagoda
The curved roof looks like the smooth, flowing
shapes of old Japanese temple roofs
material : aluminium panel with steel decking.
TRADITIONAL INFLUENCES
main support with column resemblance
main support with wooden post
to chigi
chigi
YOYOGOI NATIONAL GYMNAASIUM ISE SHRINE
Chigi: Vertical, forked wooden finials that project upward from each end of the roof ridge
It honors Ise Shrine’s 20th reconstruction anniversary.”
MODERN INFLUENCES
Inluenced by Le Corbusier's Philip's Pavilion and
Eero Saarinen's hockey stadium at Yale University,
Tange became intrigued with structure and its
tensile and geometric potential.
PHILIPS PAVILLION EERO SARRIENS HOCKEY STADIUM
EXPOSED RAW CONCRETE HOLDING CABLES
BOLD STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS
SUSPENSION ROOF SUPPORTED BY CABLES
TENSILE STEEL CABLES FOR STRENGTH AND FLEXIBILITY
The stadium’s roof uses suspension bridge
techniques, with cables spanning large
distances without needing internal supports
NEPAL ARCHITECTURAL CONTEXT (1900 TO 2000)
During (1900-1950s) = (Rana period)
Mixture of Neoclassical, Baroque, Mughal and
Nepalease indegeneous elements
WHY?
Foreign exposure, New materials, Political power
showcase.
applied only on Elite group people , in general
public - traditional architecture style continued.
ex. SINGHA DURBAR: (Neoclassical , baroque
influence)
= Massive scale, Corinthial columns, Axial
planning, imported decors, large verandas,
pediments, europian gardens decorative plaster Singha Durbar
works.
During (1950 - 1960)
(Post rana and early democratic Phase)
Minimal Ornamentation ( unlike rana Buildings)
Focused on functionality and rational planning.
Introduction of flat roof and RC frames.
Simple rectilinear form
WHY?
Political Change - Monarchy to Democracy.
Exposure of general public to world.
Post independence of India
Functional need - School, Offices etc for general
publics. Shankar Dev Campus (late 1950s)
Ex. Shankar Dev Campus
Rectangular block with repetative windows,
functinality over form
Simple concrete frame , brick infill
Flat roofline
During ( 1960-1980 )
(Neotraditionalism and cultural revival )
Modernist Architecture but integrate with contextual
and cultural elements.
WHY?
Panchayat System (unified national identity) -
Architecture began to reflect Nepali cultural heritage
blended with modern form.
Increase emphasis on public buildings and urban
growth.
ex. Tribhuvan university campus, Kritipur.
Site responsive layout on hilly terrain, - building
arranged along contour (reduce earthwork) Tribhuvan University, Kritipur
Vernacular roof shapes
Exposed brick facade.
Courtyard
How Kenzo Tange's Influence is Reflected:
Form = Modernist rectangular blocks arranged in
clustered, flexible modules
Material = Exposed concrete, brick infill—like Tange’s use
of modern materials in Japanese context
Traditional Modern Fusion = Subtle use of sloped tiled Courtyard of Tribhuvan University, Kritipur
roofs, traditional brick textures, but within a modern RC
frame
Spatial Planning = Buildings arranged around open
courtyards, connected by corridors —reflects Tange’s
interest in blending indoor and outdoor spaces like in
Kagawa Prefectural Office
Sloped tiled roof
During (1980-2000s)
(Urban Modernism with vernacular influence)
RC frame structure with brick infill as the dominant
construction method.
Simple geometric forms—mostly cuboidal and rectangular
massing.
Flat roofs, projecting balconies, and large windows.
Minimal ornamentation—focus on function and low-cost
construction.
Use of traditional materials like red bricks to retain local
character.
Occasionally integrated Newar or pagoda elements like decorative
window frames, cornices, and sloped tiled roofs. Residential building in Bhaisepati.
WHY?
=Rapid growth - high demand for housing.
=Exposure to international modernist trend = leads to multistorey
buildings.
= increase in middle income family- suburban development in Bhaisepati
etc.
Thank You!
