Kengo Kuma, an award-winning Japanese architect, is known for his minimalism and innovative use of natural materials in his buildings. His design for the Darling Exchange in Sydney, Australia will feature 20 kilometers of curved timber.
The Darling Exchange in Sydney, Australia —
Kengo Kuma, an award-winning Japanese architect, is known for his minimalism and innovative use of natural materials in his buildings. His design for the Darling Exchange in Sydney, Australia will feature 20 kilometers of curved timber.
Kuma transformed this former cotton mill into a shopping mall using a frame of aluminium panels, which lets sunlight shine in the building symbolizing where the "past and future is connected."
Wuxi Vanke, in Wuxi, China —
Kuma transformed this former cotton mill into a shopping mall using a frame of aluminium panels, which lets sunlight shine in the building symbolizing where the "past and future is connected."
Eiichi Kano
The Japanese architect used Danish wooden frames for this design, which he submitted to international competition to design the H.C. Andersen's House of Fairy Tales.
Hans Christian Andersen Museum, in Odense, Denmark —
The Japanese architect used Danish wooden frames for this design, which he submitted to international competition to design the H.C. Andersen's House of Fairy Tales.
Mir AS/Mir/Mir
This wooden pavilion, which people can climb up, was temporarily erected at the Tuileries Garden, near the Louvre museum in Paris, as part of the FIAC International Contemporary Art Fair on October 20, 2015.
YURE, in Paris, France —
This wooden pavilion, which people can climb up, was temporarily erected at the Tuileries Garden, near the Louvre museum in Paris, as part of the FIAC International Contemporary Art Fair on October 20, 2015.
THOMAS SAMSON/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Kuma's dedication to architecture that incorporates nature saw him be one of the 10 architects invited to design a residence at this retreat at the Great Wall of China.
Great (Bamboo) Wall, in Beijing, China (2002) —
Kuma's dedication to architecture that incorporates nature saw him be one of the 10 architects invited to design a residence at this retreat at the Great Wall of China.
Satoshi Asakawa
This tourist information center gives the illusion of being made of several roofs stacked on top of one another.
Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center, in Tokyo, Japan (2012) —
This tourist information center gives the illusion of being made of several roofs stacked on top of one another.
(c) Takeshi YAMAGISHI
Kuma uniquely renovated this siheyuan-style tea house, near the Forbidden Palace East Gate, using polyethylene blocks. Light gently filters through the translucent blocks -- echoing the way how was used to let in light in traditional siheyuan architecture.
Beijing Tea House, in Beijing, China (2014) —
Kuma uniquely renovated this siheyuan-style tea house, near the Forbidden Palace East Gate, using polyethylene blocks. Light gently filters through the translucent blocks -- echoing the way how was used to let in light in traditional siheyuan architecture.
Nacasa & Partners inc.
Aluminum mesh "pleats" wrap around the Hongkou Soho office block. like a lace dress for women. It looks different from every angle.
Hongkou SOHO, in Shanghai, China (2015) —
Aluminum mesh "pleats" wrap around the Hongkou Soho office block. like a lace dress for women. It looks different from every angle.
Jerry Yin, Kengo Kuma and Associates
A brilliant example of sustainable architecture, solar panels cover this city hall. "In the 20th century, most architects thought of architecture as producing the art pieces of the period. I think architecture is a never-ending project," says Kuma.
Nagaoka City Hall Aore, in Niigata, Japan (2012) —
A brilliant example of sustainable architecture, solar panels cover this city hall. "In the 20th century, most architects thought of architecture as producing the art pieces of the period. I think architecture is a never-ending project," says Kuma.
Erieta Attali