The Portugal Pavilion at Expo 2025 in Osaka embraces the theme "Ocean, The Blue Dialogue", offering visitors an immersive exploration of the ocean as a life-giving resource and a cornerstone of sustainability. Designed by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, the Pavilion aims to reflect Portugal's deep historical, cultural, and economic connections to the sea, creating an architectural and narrative journey that bridges past, present, and future.
Kengo Kuma: The Latest Architecture and News
Kengo Kuma Designs Portugal Pavilion for Expo 2025 Osaka as a Tribute to the Ocean
Kengo Kuma Named New Lead Designer for Global War on Terrorism Memorial in Washington, D.C.
In a surprising development, internationally renowned architect Kengo Kuma has been named the new lead designer for the highly anticipated Global War on Terrorism Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The announcement follows the departure of previous designer Marlon Blackwell, who was originally selected in July 2023.
Kengo Kuma & Associates Reveals Design for the Qatar Pavilion for Expo Osaka 2025
The State of Qatar has unveiled the design of its national pavilion to take shape at Expo Osaka 2025. Designed by Kengo Kuma & Associates in collaboration with Qatar Museums, the pavilion blends traditional craftsmanship from Qatar and Japan while highlighting the two countries’ connection to the sea, which is understood as a hub of resources and a medium for trade and knowledge exchange. The prepared exhibition, on view between April 13 and October 13, 2025, aims to showcase Qatar’s innovations across diverse fields.
Milan Design Week Opens with Events and Exhibitions at Salone del Mobile and Across the City
As Milan Design Week begins, the Italian city is transformed into the grounds of one of the most expansive celebrations of global design, with its streets and venues brimming with cultural events, exhibitions, large-scale installations, talks and conferences. At Rho Fiera, the 62nd edition of the Salone del Mobile.Milano brings together designers, architects, producers and leading figures of the design world, featuring over 1950 exhibitors which will remain open for the next 6 days. Additionally, across the city Fuorisalone opens up locations across the city with an engaging and varied cultural program.
Is Mass Timber the Key Element in a Low Carbon Future?
This article was originally published on Common Edge.
Chinese temples have stood for centuries, battered by wind and earthquakes, without a crack or timber out of place. They employ an ancient technique called “bracket set construction” that requires no nails or metal parts to connect wooden structural elements. Scandinavian stave churches are nearly as durable. Unsurprisingly, there are plenty of trees in Sweden and all over China.
So what is with the hype about innovation in “mass timber” construction over the past few years? As Boyce Thompson argues in his thoughtful new book, Innovations in Mass Timber: Sequestering Carbon with Style in Commercial Buildings (Schiffer Publishing), this will be the next big thing in “green” tech for architects feeling guilty about their costly titanium skins and outsized carbon footprints. The color photos show some impressive buildings in places where the wood industry has always been healthy, such as the Pacific Northwest and Scandinavia. The Japanese build log cabins with imported material that might as well be gold.
Elevating Urban Connectivity: The Spirit of Pedestrian Bridges in Cities
In a city, celebrating the act of walking has become a form of non-traditional planning. In the age of cars, challenging the dominance of vehicular transportation by championing the pedestrian experience is not very common. For this reason, pedestrian bridges worldwide stand as symbols of connectivity and architectural ingenuity. These soaring structures embody the urban experience for its core user: the pedestrian. Although the structures began as practical solutions to traffic management, they have evolved into iconic landmarks and pivotal components of city planning.
The significance of these projects represents a shift towards human-centric design in urban landscapes. The Kusugibashi Bridge in Japan, rebuilt by Kengo Kuma & Associates symbolizes resilience, while the Hangzhou Riverfront Public Space’s Silk Bridge showcases urban connectivity through revitalizing the waterfront. The Donnguan Central Area Slow-Traffic Bridge addresses connectivity and greenery, and SBE NV’s Vlasburg Bridge dedicates itself to enhanced water routes for the community. Collectively, these bridges drive urban revitalization into the future, emphasizing sustainability and integrating with community needs.
Kengo Kuma Designs its First Mixed-Use Scheme in Miami, Florida
Kengo Kuma and Associates has just unveiled the designs of a new mixed-use project in Miami, Florida. Standing as the first mixed-use initiative by the architect in the United States, the scheme is set to become a popular attraction in the city. “MIRAI Design District” is comprised of retail spaces, office spaces, and commercial units.
Erieta Attali | Kengo Kuma – Mirror in the Mirror
Japanese architect Kengo Kuma and Greek photographer Erieta Attali have been working together for over twenty years. Their joint work is characterized by a shared aesthetic understanding of architecture, space, and visual perception. In both Kuma’s buildings and Attali’s photographs, interior and exterior spaces merge and dissolve into one another. Both are united by the idea that spatial experience is fleeting, shaped by the rhythm of the day and the seasons, making built space a medium that expands into the landscape and encourages people to question their notion of spatial boundaries.
21 Projects Where Kengo Kuma (Re)Uses Materials in Unusual Ways
Kengo Kuma uses materials to connect with the local context and the users of his projects. The textures and elementary forms of constructive systems, materials, and products, are exhibited and used in favor of the architectural concept, giving value to the functions that will be carried out in each building.
From showcases made with ceramic tiles to the sifted light created by expanded metal panels, passing through an ethereal polyester coating, Kuma understands the material as an essential component that can make a difference in architecture from the design stages. Next, we present 21 projects where Kengo Kuma masterfully uses construction materials.
Exploring Haus Balma by Kengo Kuma Architects in Vals, Switzerland Through the Lens of Paul Clemence
In his latest photo series, Paul Clemence captures Haus Balma, a residential and commercial building designed by Kengo Kuma Architects. Situated in Vals, at the foothills of the Graubünden Mountains, the building was designed for Truffer AG, a family business founded in 1983, specializing in processed Valser quarzite stone slabs. Typically used as a flooring and roofing material, many architects have used quartzite stones in this region, including Peter Zumthor in his Therme Vals, Norman Foster, and Philippe Stark.