Where to see the work of Kengo Kuma in Japan 隈研吾

Born in 1954 in Yokohama, Kengo Kuma is a graduate of architecture at the University of Tokyo. After his time as a researcher at Columbia University in 1985, he then founded the architectural firm Kengo Kuma and Associates. He is currently a professor at the University of Tokyo and meets the multiple demands from both Japan and around the world.

Kengo Kuma's working philosophy is this: respect the natural environment rather than dominate it, including limiting the height of buildings and using the resources available on the site. His aim is to reinterpret traditional Japanese architecture, making it relevant in the 21st century.

Indeed, Kuma's works are famous for seamlessly blending in with the surrounding environment, as well as blending modernity and tradition, and his works can be found all over the world, including France, the United Kingdom, Spain, and the United States. 

Of course, however, his home country of Japan boasts some of his most lauded works that are attractions for both domestic and overseas appreciators of fine architecture. Here are a few of Kengo Kuma's works that can be found in Japan, including a number of hotels that can be stayed at, fully immersing oneself in his distinct aesthetic:

• Plastic House (Tokyo)

  A private residence, that of a mother (writer) and son (photographer). If the material used here - plastic - is not as conventional as his other buildings, it is because it has common characteristics with bamboo and rice paper, traditionally used in Japanese architecture. The space, relatively small, is open, like the roof terrace or the ground floor, which is extended by an outdoor tea room.

• The Tokyo Olympic Stadium (Tokyo)

  This, you still have to wait to see: the main enclosure of the 2020 Olympic Games with a capacity of 60,000 seats, it will host the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympic Games! Always concerned about coexisting with the environment, a special feature is the green balconies circling the stands as a mirror to the surrounding vegetation.  The project was subject  to time and cost constraints set by the Japanese government. The stadium should be ready in November 2019 (the opening of the Olympics will be held July 24, 2020), at an estimated cost of 149 billion yen (1.3 billion euros). This is a dream project for Kengo Kuma. As a child, the Yoyogi Stadium, built for the Olympics in 1964, first inspired him to become an architect...

   

• The Nezu Museum (Tokyo)

  Following Kuma's remodeling, the Nezu Museum in Minami Aoyama, Tokyo, reopened in 2009 with a sleek, minimalistic appearance that blends well with its enormous collection of East Asian and Japanese artwork. The sloping rooflines and bamboo-lined entry echo the simplicity of traditional Japanese design, while the use of natural materials like stone, wood, and glass provides a calm ambiance.

   

• Starbucks Reserve Roastery (Tokyo)

  The largest and most premier Starbucks location in Japan is located in the Naka Meguro neighborhood of Tokyo. The interior is notable for its elegant lighting and wooden fixtures that are inspired by coffee and its origin countries. The multi-storied complex features exclusive drinks and food with counter and table seating. Be sure to stop in for a unique Starbucks experience surrounded by Kuma's signature design.

• Yusuhara Wooden Bridge Museum (Kochi Prefecture) 
   

This wooden bridge connects two public institutions of the city of Yusuhara, previously separated by a road. Marrying curves of the valley of the island of Shikoku, the bridge is not only a passageway, it also serves as housing and artists' studios. The structure's cantilever is typical of the traditional architecture of Japan and China.

• Water / Glass (Atami, Shizuoka Prefecture)

Now this is what you call a sea view! An example of a structure that in harmony with its environment. Where does the glass end and the ocean begin? It's like a piece of the Pacific has crystallized in this mineral villa, with the dining room floating like an island of glass. Kengo Kuma was inspired by the imperial villa of Katsura , near Kyoto, to design this extension of nature.

• Iiyama Nachura Cultural Hall (Nagano Prefecture) 
   

Kuma has tapped into the wisdom of ancient Japanese people used to the snow to create a large wooden canopy roof that serves the municipal center of the city of Iiyama. The canopy is supported by a structure combining wood and steel, while the use of Japanese handmade paper (washi) helps create an intimate atmosphere, unusual for this type of establishment. The materials were produced locally, and the facades have all been made with Japanese larch wood. 

• Toyama Kirari (Toyama Prefecture)

Located centrally within Toyama Prefecture, this distinct structure serves as both Toyama City's public library and the Toyama Glass Art Museum, where gorgeous and unique hand-blown glass works are on display. With both a permanent collection and a venerable roster of rotating exhibitions throughout the year, the museum is said to be the crown jewel of Toyama's art scene. 

Hotels featuring architecture by Kengo Kuma

Lending his talents to a number of different structures in Japan, there are a number of hotels that feature Kuma's design that can be booked! Doing so gives you a chance to fully immerse yourself in and appreciate Kuma's world-class architectural designs. Here is a list of a few hotels designed by or featuring designs by Kengo Kuma that are sure to make your next trip out to Japan stand out, even during your time relaxing at your accommodation!

• The Tokyo Edition (Toranomon/Ginza) 

At the forefront of Tokyo's new generation of luxury hotels, the Tokyo Edition in Toranomon stands high among the luxurious buildings of the area. The main lobby, located on the 31st floor of the building, features meticulously sophisticated lighting against the backdrop of rich greenery and latticing wooden accents. The same wooden details can be found within the rooms as well. At the center of the lobby, the appropriately named "Lobby Bar" features glass panel work and luxurious cocktails. Large windows look out to the Tokyo skyline, with the nearby Tokyo Tower being a major presence, especially when illuminated at night. 

The newly opened Ginza location was also designed by Kuma and features woodwork with larger panels along with tasteful accents of color. Much like other Kuma-designed spaces, clever lighting placements are meant to accentuate the space without being too blaring. 

• Banyan Tree Higashiyama (Kyoto)

Kuma's philosophy of design coexisting with nature is reflected in the structure's seamless integration with its natural surroundings, which are situated atop the tranquil Higashiyama hills. The hotel's contemporary take on a traditional Noh theater stage, made of wood and tucked away in the grounds, is one of its most notable features. In addition to honoring traditional Japanese performing arts, its design improves the property's serene atmosphere while also accentuating Kyoto's long cultural history. 

• Hotel Royal Classic (Osaka)

The hotel's lower exterior honors its predecessor by emulating the characteristic "karahafu" gabled rooftop, which was originally the location of the architect Togo Murano's masterwork, the 1958 Osaka Shin-Kabukiza Theater. The upper stories seamlessly carry over this classic curvature, where dynamic metal fins create a contemporary and elaborate design that embodies Kuma's philosophy of balancing modern and historic architectural styles.

• Kai Resort (Beppu)

The resort creates a welcoming ambiance for visitors with its arcade area and cobblestone lane, which are reminiscent of bustling hot spring towns. Local culture is incorporated into each of the 70 guest rooms, especially through the utilization of Bungo artwork and tie-dyeing techniques. Kuma highlights the value of the onsen town experience, saying that while taking a bath is great, exploring the town both before and after is equally important to the resort experience.

• Fujiya Resort Ginzan Onsen (Yamagata)

Originally constructed more than a century ago, this four-story wooden building is tucked away at the foot of a valley of the snowy Tohoku Region. It was renovated with Kengo Kuma's design. By maintaining the building's original post-and-beam façade and rearranging the interior around a recently added atrium, Kuma's design sought to combine contemporary features with the building's historic character. Delicate bamboo screens, each with slits 4 mm wide, encircle this atrium and filter natural light to produce a calm and peaceful ambiance.