Kengo Kuma is a prominent Japanese architect known for designs that emphasize the use of natural materials and connection to nature. Some of his notable works mentioned in the document include the Birch Moss Chapel, built of birch trees and moss to blend into the surrounding forest, and the Fa-bo showroom which uses carbon fiber arranged in a draping pattern around the facade. Kuma's philosophy is to express the emotional qualities of materials and draw from Japanese traditions while committing to nature.

1. AR.KENGO KUMA
隈 研吾
“I’m thinking about
what is the material
for the building, what
is the finish of the
building.”

2. BIOGRAPHY
• The architect Kengo Kuma, born in 1954 in
Kanagawa, 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.

3. PHILOSOPHY
• His design vision expresses the emotional content of
materials, linked to intrinsic characteristics in
construction and the teachings of Japanese traditions.
• In his buildings, he is committed both to Nature and
Asian traditions: “The essence of my work is the use of
natural materials to create airy, open rooms filled with
sunlight.” With highly thought-provoking, original
designs, the philosophical and aesthetic consequence of
which astound, Kengo Kuma is an established member of
Japan’s architectural elite.
• “Almost tuning in” to the materials themselves, Kuma
has for years “engaged in a serious critique of what is
defined as the “concrete method of construction”, in his
desire to find an alternative to this material that
“dominates” the world (Treccani).

4. The Birch Moss Chapel
• This has got to be one of the loveliest
architectural concepts I have ever seen.
Japanese architecture firm Kengo Kuma and
Associates built a chapel in the mountain
town of Karuizawa, in Japan’s Nagano
prefecture out of birch trees, steel, glass,
acrylic, and moss.
• This lyrical, stunning structure is perfectly
camouflaged among its surroundings.
• The architects used the birch trees as pillars
and the stone and moss-covered pathway
that leads to the chapel continues inside,
blurring the line even more. A glass curtain
wall and acrylic pews allow only the natural
aspects of this special place to be present.

5. FA BO
• Kengo Kuma and
Associates created the Fa-bo
showroom for
textile company Komatsu Seiren,
and it is located in Nomi, part
of Japan's Ishikawa Prefecture.
• Originally a boxy grey office block,
the building now has a completely
refurbished interior, while
the carbon fibres are arranged in a
draping pattern around the facade.
• "The fibre rod is said to be seven
times stronger than iron, and this is
the very first time that this material
was used as a means of
reinforcement against
earthquakes," said the studio

6. FA BO
• Drawing from a technique of braiding ropes in
this region, it became possible to add further
flexibility to the carbon fibre."
• The carbon fibre ropes are pulled taut over a
metal frame on the building's green roof and
then angled down over the facades to meet
the ground.
• Gaps left between the fibres, which are
arranged in sections like curtains, provide
entrance points to the building. These lead
through to white, fabric-draped interiors.

7. Meditation House
Meditation plays a significant role in
the Far East; Japan has built since
hundreds of years houses
predominantly out of wood; Architect
Kengo Kuma is recognized as the master
of combining nature and inspirational
design.

8. Meditation House
• The Meditation House in the forest is an
architectural „piece of art“ – designed
by Architect Kengo Kuma from Tokyo.
• A truly relaxing place to retreat for
guests, who wish to practice meditation
during their stay in Kranzbach –either
alone or with a coach. In absolute
tranquility. For everyone, who in the
ever more stressful outside world would
like to find inner peace.

9. Water/Glass House By Kengo Kuma
• Situated on a hill overlooking Atami,
Japan southwest of Tokyo, this
spectacular ocean view villa has a
striking oval dinning room that appears
to be on an island surrounded by water.
Designed by architect Kengo Kuma, this
glass house in which water is also a key
component has the effect of a structure
floating on water.
• The oval dinning room is connected to
the rest of the house by a glass corridor.
The infinity-edge reflecting pool
connects the house to the ocean and
the coastline.

10. MISONA-ZA THEATER
• Architect Kengo Kuma has revived an
existing theater in Nagoya, Japan with bold
red color and black square tiles, creating a
special motif that could match the
"flower" of the city.
• Called Misono-za, the existing theater is
located in the, a place has center of
Nagoya’s theater districtlong cultivated
performance art and artists and is known
as the place of entertainment within
Japan.
• The 3,641-square-metre building is
considered as an unusual building as it is
integrated with a shopping center facing a
main road, as well apartments above the
theater.

11. • "The former theatre had walls of Namako-kabe
(black square tiles with raised white grout), and
we used this as the motif of our design developing
into a glamorously illuminated façade that could
match the “flower” of the city," said the firm.
In the interiors, the studio looked back to the old
Misono-za by using vermillion as the basic color. A
wide corridor stretching from the foyer to the
main entrance was covered with vermillion
helping to enhance this bright and beautiful
theater that represents Nagoya.
MISONA-ZA THEATER

12. THANK YOU!
HANSA KATARE
2nd yr. b.arch
“Totality of architectural design includes textures, the soft and
hardness of the material, the smell of the material, and the acoustic
effect of the material.”