Steel, concrete and inflated egos are ruining cities. At least that’s what Japanese architect Kengo Kuma believes.
“Buildings need life. Concrete and steel buildings … we cannot feel life from them,” Kuma told Tatler when we visited his office in Tokyo’s affluent Aoyama district in October last year. His firm, Kengo Kuma & Associates, occupies multiple floors in a small commercial building, accessed by an old, rickety lift that holds five people at a time, at the most.
It’s a quaint setup for a visionary of Kuma’s calibre—he has completed more than 300 projects in 20 countries around the world, and was named the World’s Most Influential Architect by Time magazine in 2021—but his less-ismore approach is what has made him so prolific.
“Sometimes, design can destroy a place. In the 20th century, to build something monumental was the goal for many architects, to make their mark in history. These great designs can destroy the landscape and the environment,” says Kuma. “But now, the goal is to blend in—to become one with the environment. I think good, humble design is better than great design.”
Kuma’s works serve as places where the past and present connect, and where visitors can experience Japan’s history through a contemporary lens. He’s known for his love of wood, which he uses in most of his projects, big or small— whether it’s a community library in Yusuhara, a small town in Japan’s southwest, or the 68,000 capacity Japan National Stadium where the Tokyo Olympics 2020 were hosted and where he incorporated 47 unique types of wood sourced from Japan’s 47 prefectures, as a symbol of unity.
Esta historia es de la edición May 2023 de Tatler Singapore.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición May 2023 de Tatler Singapore.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
LIFE'S A BEACH
Tatler Asia gets an exclusive first look at Rosewood Phuket's new Houses, which include a colossal 21,000 square foot beachfront mansion
Making Memories
In planning the perfect wedding, the expert team at The St. Regis Singapore, with its dreamy ballrooms and bespoke service, ensures that your big day is replete with moments to cherish for a lifetime
GONE GLAMPING
Luxury experiential travel company and Beyond opens its first Asian lodge in Bhutan to showcase the country's natural beauty in its full glory
Under a Forest of Lights
For the discerning bride seeking an exclusive and bespoke celebration, JW Marriott Hotel Singapore South Beach is certainly up to the task
BEYOND SINGAPORE
As the local dining scene gets more competitive, homegrown brands are expanding overseas with their innovative concepts
THE MAVERICK MINDSET
With the opening of his new exhibition in Japan, Takashi Murakami speaks to Tatler about his prolific and wide-ranging career
GIVING NATURE
From those leading Tamily to changemakers and fundraisers, these standout women in philanthropy share how they are making a difference through the causes they support
House Icons
Gabrielle Chanel wrote her own story in the world of jewellery-a tale that still lives on within the house of Chanel today through its contemporary creations and one-of-a-kind treasures in the Patrimoine collection
Wrist Action
Homegrown watch strap and accessories brand Delugs is making waves across the international watch scene. Co-founders Chia Pei Qi and Kenneth Kuan share how their passion project blossomed into a burgeoning business with an even stronger community
Chain Reaction
Dripping in diamonds and equipped with a dedicated in-house movement, Richard Mille's RM 07-01 Automatic watches are the paragon of innovation and stylish sophistication