In a 2008 interview, Kengo Kuma articulated his architectural philosophy likening it to a rainbow, emphasizing his meticulous approach to material selection akin to culinary arts. He shared insights from his childhood in a traditional wooden house, contrasting it with the modern concrete structures admired by his peers. Kuma's evolution in appreciation for his ancestral home reflects a broader cultural appreciation for historical designs amidst Japan's post-war architectural shift towards modernity. His ongoing passion for material exploration underscores his belief that architecture involves continuous discovery rather than merely artistic expression.
The closest image to the kind of architecture I try to achieve is a rainbow. I design my buildings as a chef prepares a salad.
My fascination with materiality is startling, and despite having completed many buildings, I stand at the beginning of a long process of material exploration.
I did not like the house as a child; it contrasted greatly with the brand-new concrete towers where many of my friends resided.
A new optimistic future was being constructed: concrete and steel dominated in building that vision.
Collection
[
|
...
]