DECONSTRUCTING OBJECTIFICATION FOR THE BEATIFIC

With his signature Anti-Object philosophy, Japanese architect Kengo Kuma is leading a revolution in design with his landmark project in Vietnam, HAUS Da Lat.

- SUFFIAN HAKIM

IN THE WORLD OF HOSPITALITY DESIGN, Kengo Kuma is up there with the likes of Kerry Hill and Geoffrey Bawa. Like his contemporaries, Kuma has a distinct style, blending his structures with nature so they complement their surroundings.

Kuma is a globally renowned Japanese architect born in Yokohama, Japan, in 1954. After graduating from the University of Tokyo in 1979, he established his firm, Kengo Kuma & Associates, in 1990. At the core of his vision is a profound architectural philosophy that he terms "Anti-Object". It is a direct rejection of the 20th century's monumental, concrete structures. Kuma strives for architecture that disappears or blends into its surroundings, prioritising a harmonious dialogue between the built environment and the natural world. He champions the use of natural materials, particularly wood, stone, and bamboo, and reinterprets Japanese traditions of lightness and transparency to create human-scaled, context-sensitive buildings that foster an intimate connection with the land.

His landmark project HAUS Da Lat realises this ethos vividly. A comprehensive luxury destination, it is Vietnam's first real estate complex certified with ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) standards. The development is not a single building. It's a massive undertaking featuring 68 ultra-exclusive Sky Villas and Sky Mansions (residences), a five-star hotel managed by InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, a dedicated wellness centre, and the country's first ultra-private HAUS Private Club.