By using ArchDaily, you agree to our Terms of Use, Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy.

If you want to make the best of your experience on our site, sign-up.

By using ArchDaily, you agree to our Terms of Use, Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy.

If you want to make the best of your experience on our site, sign-up.

  1. ArchDaily
  2. Kengo Kuma

Kengo Kuma: The Latest Architecture and News

Kengo Kuma Unveils Bamboo Ring at 2019 London Design Festival

Global smart phone brand OPPO teamed up with Japanese architect Kengo Kuma to create a large outdoor installation at 2019 London Design Festival. Called ‘Bamboo (竹) Ring: Weaving into Lightness’, the project is installed in the John Madejski Garden at the V&A Museum for the duration of the festival. Inspired by the Garden and curated by Clare Farrow, the doughnut-shaped structure has been created by weaving rings of bamboo and carbon fiber together.

Kengo Kuma Unveils Bamboo Ring at 2019 London Design Festival - Image 1 of 4Kengo Kuma Unveils Bamboo Ring at 2019 London Design Festival - Image 2 of 4Kengo Kuma Unveils Bamboo Ring at 2019 London Design Festival - Image 3 of 4Kengo Kuma Unveils Bamboo Ring at 2019 London Design Festival - Image 4 of 4Kengo Kuma Unveils Bamboo Ring at 2019 London Design Festival - More Images+ 1

New Iconic Museum for Turkey by Kengo Kuma and Associates

Designed by Kengo Kuma and Associates (KKAA), and led by partner Yuki Ikeguchi, the Odunpazari Modern Museum (OMM) just opened in Eskisehir, Turkey. The project aims to promote Turkish art and make a cultural contribution to the city of Eskisehir.

New Iconic Museum for Turkey by Kengo Kuma and Associates  - Image 1 of 4New Iconic Museum for Turkey by Kengo Kuma and Associates  - Image 2 of 4New Iconic Museum for Turkey by Kengo Kuma and Associates  - Image 3 of 4New Iconic Museum for Turkey by Kengo Kuma and Associates  - Image 4 of 4New Iconic Museum for Turkey by Kengo Kuma and Associates  - More Images+ 6

8 Installations to Watch Out For at the 2019 London Design Festival

8 Installations to Watch Out For at the 2019 London Design Festival - Image 1 of 48 Installations to Watch Out For at the 2019 London Design Festival - Image 2 of 48 Installations to Watch Out For at the 2019 London Design Festival - Image 3 of 48 Installations to Watch Out For at the 2019 London Design Festival - Image 4 of 48 Installations to Watch Out For at the 2019 London Design Festival - More Images+ 4

The 2019 London Design Festival opens next month with highlights including projects at the V&A by Sam Jacob and Kengo Kuma. Running from September 14th to the 22nd, the festival will include large-scale installations by Paul Cocksedge, Martino Gamper, PATTERNITY, Dan Tobin Smith and Camille Walala. Returning for its 17th year, the festival will celebrate design across London.

Spotlight: Kengo Kuma

Kengo Kuma (born 8th August, 1956) is one of the most significant Japanese figures in contemporary architecture. His reinterpretation of traditional Japanese architectural elements for the 21st century has involved serious innovation in uses of natural materials, new ways of thinking about light and lightness and architecture that enhances rather than dominates. His buildings don't attempt to fade into the surroundings through simple gestures, as some current Japanese work does, but instead his architecture attempts to manipulate traditional elements into statement-making architecture that still draws links with the area in which it's built. These high-tech remixes of traditional elements and influences have proved popular across Japan and beyond, and his recent works have begun expanding out of Japan to China and the West.

Spotlight: Kengo Kuma - Image 1 of 4Spotlight: Kengo Kuma - Image 2 of 4Spotlight: Kengo Kuma - Image 3 of 4Spotlight: Kengo Kuma - Image 4 of 4Spotlight: Kengo Kuma - More Images+ 32

Kengo Kuma Builds Upon Historic Facade in New Seattle Skyscraper

Kengo Kuma & Associates have proposed a new 40-story mixed-use skyscraper incorporating a historic Gothic Revival facade in Seattle. Located in the Belltown neighborhood, the project would reuse the ornate five-story Bebb & Gould’s Terminal Sales Annex facade. Made in collaboration with Ankrom Moisan Architects and the landscape architecture firm Berger Partnership, the project aims to reinforce the Gothic and Art Deco heritage of Seattle’s downtown.

Winning Designs for Senegal Peace Pavilion, Judged by Kengo Kuma

The winners of the Kaira Loo Competition have been announced, dedicated to the design of a Peace Pavilion to be built in the city of Sedhiou, southern Senegal. The objective of the competition was to create a symbolic structure serving as a memorial to the victims of African wars, and that would sensitize the local and international community by creating a commemorative and educational space that respects both the environment and local traditions.

Discover 20 Years of Tokyo's Development Through the Lens of Peter M. Cook

British architectural photographer Peter M. Cook has documented the city of Tokyo and its evolution for more than twenty years. Following the development of the city and its buildings with a large-format camera, Cook's first book of photographs have been published by Hatje Cantz Verlag with 100 shots. The monochromatic, large-format photographs reveal a story of one of the world's most iconic cities.

Discover 20 Years of Tokyo's Development Through the Lens of Peter M. Cook - Image 1 of 4Discover 20 Years of Tokyo's Development Through the Lens of Peter M. Cook - Image 2 of 4Discover 20 Years of Tokyo's Development Through the Lens of Peter M. Cook - Image 3 of 4Discover 20 Years of Tokyo's Development Through the Lens of Peter M. Cook - Image 4 of 4Discover 20 Years of Tokyo's Development Through the Lens of Peter M. Cook - More Images+ 5

Architect-Designed Light Fixtures at the 2019 Salone del Mobile

As Milan Design Week continues to set avant-garde design trends for the upcoming years, the 2019 Salone del Mobile’s lighting biennale, Euroluce, saw a nod to classic designs mixed with contemporary craftsmanship.

Two dominant trends at this year’s Euroluce are ‘rediscovering the past’ and a ‘reference to nature’. Vintage lighting pieces were rediscovered, not only to serve as valuable tokens of the past, but as foundation for new research. The reference to nature is evidently the most dominant design trend at this year’s lighting biennale, as designers found inspiration from natural, organic forms, and produced their pieces with eco-friendly material.

However, some of the most unique pieces at this year’s Euroluce were developed in collaboration with heavyweights in the world of design. Profound architects found their way into the 2019 Euroluce, bringing together their design skills with the engineering solutions of design companies.

Plastic Monument: An Architectural Call for our Planet

 | Sponsored Content

YAC - Young Architects Competitions launches “Plastic Monument”, a competition of ideas aiming to create an itinerant architectural installation. It will travel all around the world to raise awareness about the impact of plastic waste on our planet. A cash prize of € 15,000 + realization of the 1st Prize will be awarded to winners selected by a well-renowned jury made of, among the others, Kengo Kuma, Carlo Ratti, Italo Rota, Mandy Barker, Maria Cristina Finucci.

Kaira Looro Student Competition: Peace Pavilion in Africa

"Kaira Looro Competition" is an international architecture competition aimed at raising awareness of the international community towards emerging architecture in developing countries. The new edition of the competition has as its theme is to create a pavilion for the promotion of universal peace which inspires contemplation, reflection, and prayer for those who unjustly lost their lives. The competition is organized by the Nonprofit Organization “Balouo Salo” engaged in Africa for humanitarian projects of architecture and support of disadvantaged communities, with the collaboration of the University of Tokyo, Kengo Kuma & Associates, Direction de la Culture de Sedhiou, Conseil Municipal de Sedhiou and others relevant parts.

The Project in a Small Japanese Village Setting the Standard for Zero-Waste Architecture

Nestled in the steep gorges and river valleys of Japan’s Tokushima prefecture is Kamikatsu - a small town seemingly like any other. But Kamikatsu, unlike its neighbors (or indeed, most towns in the world), is nearly entirely waste-free.

Since 2003 - years before the movement gained widespread popularity - the town has committed to a zero-waste policy. The requirements are demanding: waste must be sorted in more than 30 categories, broken or obsolete items are donated or stripped for parts, unwanted items are left in a store for community exchange. But the residents’ efforts over the years have paid off- nearly 80% of all the village’s waste is recycled.

The Project in a Small Japanese Village Setting the Standard for Zero-Waste Architecture - Image 1 of 4The Project in a Small Japanese Village Setting the Standard for Zero-Waste Architecture - Image 2 of 4The Project in a Small Japanese Village Setting the Standard for Zero-Waste Architecture - Image 3 of 4The Project in a Small Japanese Village Setting the Standard for Zero-Waste Architecture - Image 4 of 4The Project in a Small Japanese Village Setting the Standard for Zero-Waste Architecture - More Images+ 15

Kengo Kuma and FGMF's Japan House Sao Paulo Through the Lens of FLAGRANTE

Architect and photographer Romullo Fontenelle of FLAGRANTE studio shared with ArchDaily a series of photographs from the recently inaugurated Japan House Sao Paulo, a project by Kengo Kuma in partnership with the local office FGMF Arquitetos.

The global initiative by the Japanese Government aims to "create a vision of contemporary Japan." Opened May 2018, Japan House combines art, technology, and business to offer an escape to present day Japan. 

Kengo Kuma and FGMF's Japan House Sao Paulo Through the Lens of FLAGRANTE - Image 1 of 4Kengo Kuma and FGMF's Japan House Sao Paulo Through the Lens of FLAGRANTE - Image 2 of 4Kengo Kuma and FGMF's Japan House Sao Paulo Through the Lens of FLAGRANTE - Image 3 of 4Kengo Kuma and FGMF's Japan House Sao Paulo Through the Lens of FLAGRANTE - Image 4 of 4Kengo Kuma and FGMF's Japan House Sao Paulo Through the Lens of FLAGRANTE - More Images+ 29

10 Renowned Brazilian Projects by International Architects

During the second half of the twentieth century, architects all over the world, specifically from Europe, produced a legacy of renowned, modern works in Brazil. Following the principles of masters such as Le Corbusier, names like Lina Bo Bardi, Hans Broos, and Franz Heep held an undeniable influence on Brazilian architecture.

In recent years, the country has been welcoming a variety of buildings designed by foreign architects. Below, we have compiled 10 iconic works by international architects. 

Kengo Kuma Creates Starbucks Store in Taiwan From 29 Shipping Containers

Hot on the heels of its lavish breakthrough Milan store, Starbucks has opened yet another striking and innovatively-designed coffee house. However, Japanese architect Kengo Kuma's design associates an entirely different mood with the company's coffee beverages.

Starbucks Taiwan the company’s first location in the Asia Pacific, consists of 29 white shipping containers, shifted and stacked in a grid-like formation. Within the containers’ 3,444 sqft (320 sqm) of space are a variety of intimate and comfortable spaces. A drive-thru is also incorporated into the design to maximize the store’s convenience to its customers.

A First Look at Kengo Kuma's New V&A Dundee

The V&A Dundee, in collaboration with Rapid Visual Media, have released drone footage and imagery ahead of the building’s opening, marking Kengo Kuma’s first UK project. The footage showcases the new museum jutting out into Dundee’s River Tay, inspired by the cliffs of Scotland.

The museum is formed of 2,500 pre-cast concrete panels hung from complex curving walls, casting shadows which vary depending on weather conditions. As well as being Kuma’s first UK building, the V&A Dundee is also the first dedicated design museum in Scotland.

A First Look at Kengo Kuma's New V&A Dundee - Image 1 of 4A First Look at Kengo Kuma's New V&A Dundee - Image 2 of 4A First Look at Kengo Kuma's New V&A Dundee - Image 3 of 4A First Look at Kengo Kuma's New V&A Dundee - Image 4 of 4A First Look at Kengo Kuma's New V&A Dundee - More Images+ 2

The 9 Bars That Every Architect Needs to Visit

When you think of your favorite spot to grab a beer, what architectural features come to mind? Is it the swanky furniture, themed artwork, or the heavily designed cocktail menu? Today, the aesthetics of bars are now as much a draw as the drinks themselves. From movie set inspired spaces to rooftops that offer spectacular city views, we’ve compiled a list of nine bars and beer gardens that every architect needs to cross off their list.