In Kengo Kuma’s work you may see influences of light, transparency and materiality. But when visiting the Woodbury School of Architecture in San Diego, Kengo Kuma shared a few of his not so apparent influences, from Frank Lloyd Wright and Louis Kahn to jazz music. Make sure to view “Knowing Kuma” to see the architect’s definition of architecture, materials and more.
Kengo Kuma: The Latest Architecture and News
VIDEO: Kengo Kuma on Architecture, Materials And Music
https://www.archdaily.com/507962/video-kengo-kuma-on-architecture-materials-and-musicAndrew Galloway
Video: SunnyHills at Minami-Aoyama by Kengo Kuma
As a part of his ongoing film series about Japanese architecture, French architect and filmmaker Vincent Hecht has created this visual exploration of SunnyHills at Minami-Aoyama by Kengo Kuma. Designed to resemble a bamboo basket, this pineapple cake shop is built using the traditional Japanese joint technique of “Jiigoku-Gumi.” The wooden latticework is meant to provide visual contrast with the concrete facades of the building’s neighbors.
https://www.archdaily.com/503784/video-sunnyhills-at-minami-aoyama-by-kengo-kumaConnor Walker
Siza, Souto de Moura, Kuma Reflect on Their 'Sensing Spaces' Exhibitions
As an accompaniment to their ongoing Sensing Spaces Exhibition in London, the Royal Academy of Arts has produced six wonderful films interviewing the architects involved in the exhibition, unearthing what motivates and inspires them as architects, and what the primary themes of their exhibition projects are.
The above video features both Álvaro Siza and Eduardo Souto de Moura, who both designed their Sensing Spaces exhibits with the other in mind. Siza explains his preoccupation with the joints between the natural and the man-made through his Leça Swimming Pool complex, and the way the rock formations informed his interventions. He also introduces his one-time protégé Souto de Moura's Braga stadium as expressing the same understanding of the natural and man-made.
See videos from the 5 other Sensing Spaces participants after the break
https://www.archdaily.com/475585/siza-souto-de-moura-kuma-reflect-on-their-sensing-spaces-exhibitionsRory Stott
Seven Architects Transform London’s RA into Multi-Sensory Experience
This past week London’s Royal Academy of Arts (RA) celebrated the opening of, what many claim to be, one of the most “epic” and “enchanting” exhibitions of 2014: Sensing Space: Architecture Reimagined. With a series of large scale installations by some of profession’s most acclaimed architects, such as Eduardo Souto de Moura, and Kengo Kuma, the immersive exhibition creates an atmosphere that encourages visitors to become part of the experience and open their minds to the sensory realm of architecture.
"Architecture is so often the background to our lives," stated curator Kate Goodwin. "We often don't think about it - it's practical and functional, but when does it do something more?"
A preview of the installations, after the break.
https://www.archdaily.com/473147/seven-architects-transform-london-s-ra-into-multi-sensory-experienceKarissa Rosenfield
SOHO China's Zhang Xin on Balancing Design and Commercial Viability
The list of architects that have collaborated with Zhang Xin’s development company, SOHO China, reads like the roster of an architectural dream team (which includes Zaha Hadid, Yung Ho Chang, Bjarke Ingels, Kengo Kuma, Kazuyo Sejima, Herzog & de Meuron, Thom Mayne, David Adjaye, Toyo Ito and others). So it’s no surprise that the self-made billionaire lectured to a packed house at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design last Thursday. Xin spoke about her commitment to and love of design, explaining that her company’s mission is to bring a variety of architectural languages to China. And though SOHO’s projects are certainly experimental, Xin contends that her developer mindset actually helps meliorate the architect’s propensity to take the experiment too far—all without sacrificing the impressive and iconic forms of SOHO’s building portfolio.
Watch Zhang Xin link her practice in real estate to larger global issues and catch a glimpse of two Zaha Hadid-designs currently under construction: Wangjing SOHO and Sky SOHO.
https://www.archdaily.com/441507/soho-china-s-zhang-xin-on-balancing-design-and-commercial-viabilityBecky Quintal
Kengo Kuma's V&A at Dundee Granted Planning Permission
After a slight redesign scaled the building’s stone facade back from the waters edge to reduce construction costs, Kengo Kuma & Associates has been granted planning permission from the city council’s development management committee to construct the V&A at Dundee. The “world-class,” competition-winning proposal will be the first V&A museum constructed outside of London, serving as an international center of design for all of Scotland.
https://www.archdaily.com/415988/kengo-kuma-s-v-and-a-at-dundee-granted-planning-permissionKarissa Rosenfield
Seven Architects, Seven Multi-Sensory Installations Planned for London’s RA
The Royal Academy of Arts’ (RA) in London will soon be transformed into a multi-sensory “architectural maze” with the construction of seven installations by seven world-famous architects for the exhibit, Sensing Space: Architecture Reimagined. Participants, handpicked by curators Kate Goodwin and Drue Heinz, include Alvaro Siza, Eduardo Souto de Moura, Pezo von Ellrichshausen and Kengo Kuma.
https://www.archdaily.com/415822/seven-architects-seven-multi-sensory-installations-planned-for-london-s-raKarissa Rosenfield
House Vision 2013 Exhibition Hits Tokyo
Graphic designer and curator Kenya Hara has put together a three week-long exhibition in Tokyo focusing on the future of the Japanese house. Hara argues that the housing industry can no longer be isolated but must be combined with other industries, technologies and ideas, including energy, transportation, communication, household appliances, the "vision of happiness" pursued by adults, the representation of Japanese traditions and aesthetics as well as a future vision of health. All of these elements he hopes to present and discuss at the House Vision Exhibition where more than ten types of futuristic houses are on display and daily seminars with expert urban planners, developers, contractors, architects, telecom and even gas organizations have been taking place.
Read more about the exhibition after the break.
https://www.archdaily.com/345209/house-vision-2013-exhibition-hits-tokyoBarbara Porada
Video: Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center / Kengo Kuma
Located in front of the Kamiari-mon gate in Asakusa, Kengo Kuma’s Culture Tourist Information Center serves as a beacon to the local area as well as housing programs to serve both tourists and the local community. This video via ja+u takes you through the 7 stacked volumes that make up the 8 internal floors that house a wide variety of programming ranging from meeting rooms to tourist information kiosks. The construction uniquely integrates HVAC equipment in the gaps between the stacked volumes. The interior structure of heavy timber members are left exposed which complement the dynamism of the vertical volumes, while the language of wood is continued onto the exterior by means of laminated timber louvers.
https://www.archdaily.com/258565/video-asakusa-culture-tourist-information-center-kengo-kumaTim Winstanley
AD Interviews: Kengo Kuma
Through our interview program, I’ve had the chance to meet with some of the world’s most renowned architects, while creating a moment to share their views about the profession with our readers.
https://www.archdaily.com/179551/ad-interviews-kengo-kumaDavid Basulto
The Evolution of the Japanese Tea House
Tea ceremonies have evolved a great deal since they first got their start in the ninth century, and as the ceremonies have grown and shifted in purpose, so have the tea houses that hold them.
Initially tea was seen as a medicine used to cultivate the mind, body and spirit; tea was seen as good for monks because it helped them to stay awake for long periods of meditation. For this reason, the military class sponsored the construction of large zen temples for monks to drink tea in. As tea began to grow in popularity beyond the temple, tea ceremonies became a source of entertainment for members of the upper class who could afford to gamble, read poetry and attend tea parties in extravagant pavilions. More information after the break.
https://www.archdaily.com/151551/the-evolution-of-the-japanese-tea-houseAllison Hyatt
Video: Kengo Kuma on CCCloud
A month ago we featured CCCloud, Kengo Kuma‘s first built work of architecture in Italy, completed on September this year. Now, we share with you an interview with Kengo Kuma on his ceramic tiles monument for Casalgrande Padana. Enjoy it!
https://www.archdaily.com/92859/video-kengo-kuma-on-cccloudSebastian Jordana
Update: V&A at Dundee shortlist designs
Last month we shared with you the six designs from the shortlisted group for the future Victoria & Albert Museum in Scotland:
Delugan Meissl Associated Architects / Kengo Kuma & Associates / REX / Snøhetta / Steven Holl Architects / Sutherland Hussey Architects
The six designs are now on exhibition at the library of Abertay University on Bell Street in Dundee until November 4th.
We now have more photographs and a short description of each proposal plus a video after the break.
https://www.archdaily.com/82074/update-va-at-dundee-shortlist-designsKelly Minner
Interview with Kengo Kuma, Alfonso Acocella, and Luigi Alini
On the occasion of the Settimana milanese del Design 2010, during which the Japanese architect presented an impressive installation anticipating the new work of architecture, Kengo Kuma himself gave a video-interview on the meaning of the very “CCCWall” (photos here / video here), its conception and tangible character. The image and voice of the Japanese architect allow the viewers to approach the ceramic masterpiece which will be inaugurated in Casalgrande, Reggio Emilia.
https://www.archdaily.com/69383/interview-with-kengo-kuma-alfonso-acocella-and-luigi-aliniSebastian Jordana