Architect Kengo Kuma: "Fun" is the driving force behind his work

建築 家　Kengo Kuma(Kuma Kengo)

Born in 1954. Established Kengo Kuma and Associates in 1990. After serving as a professor at Keio University and the University of Tokyo, he is currently a Distinguished Professor and Professor Emeritus at the University of Tokyo. He has ongoing projects in over 30 countries. He proposes architecture that opens up new relationships between nature, technology, and humans. His major works include "Points, Lines, and Planes," "Losing Architecture," "Natural Architecture," "Small Architecture," and "Human Habitats."

https://kkaa.co.jp/works/architec- ture/great-bamboo-wall/

Kengo Kuma was fascinated by architecture from a young age and has spent his life thinking only about architecture. He has created numerous buildings around the world, including the National Stadium, the main venue for the Olympics. We spoke to him about how he got to where he is today and the thoughts he puts into his architecture.

■After being drawn into the world of architecture

I first became interested in architecture when I was in the fourth grade of elementary school, during the Olympic Games held in Tokyo. I actually went to see them, and the venue was Yoyogi National Gymnasium, designed by Kenzo Tange. Seeing that, I was immediately drawn into the world of architecture. From that point on, I continued to think about becoming an architect, and entered university. In my second year at university, I entered the architecture department and worked part-time at various design firms. Working at the offices of renowned architects such as Hiroshi Hara and Fumihiko Maki is a fond memory from university. After graduating, I got a job at a major design firm, then went to the US to study at Columbia University, before returning to Japan and setting up my own firm.

■Bringing about change

When we first started, work was coming in steadily, but then the bubble economy burst in 1990 and we no longer had any work in Tokyo. I had no choice but to travel around Japan in my spare time and take on small jobs in the countryside. My first job was in Yusuhara, Kochi Prefecture. This job marked the beginning of my style of architecture using wood, which has become a symbol of mine today.

After that, I gradually became involved in design work overseas, and built a building called the Bamboo House in China. This building became a turning point for me. The Bamboo House is made entirely of bamboo, which rots easily, so it was a huge risk. However, because I took the plunge and built it, this work was recognized around the world, and that was the beginning of my full-scale expansion overseas. As a result, the 10 years after the bubble burst were the most fruitful time for me.

■I continued because it was fun

The most rewarding part of working in architecture is the moment when a building is completed. I've built hundreds of buildings, and that feeling hasn't changed. Of course, there are many difficulties in the process of building, but nothing beats the joy of seeing what you envision actually come to fruition. I think it's this joy that has allowed me to continue working in architecture.

And these buildings are not entirely built by me as the designer; they are the result of the involvement of many people, including the clients who commissioned me to build them and the people who actually carried out the construction. That's why I believe the most important thing in the work of architecture is to empathize with the people involved when building. I don't think you can create a good building without doing so. When I design the buildings that I actually build, I think it will make everyone happy. By happy, I mean having fun, feeling energized, and being able to relax. That's why wood is so important. Wood has a warmth to the touch, and it has a much longer history than concrete and has been loved by people since ancient times. I think it's deeply related to the fact that humans were born and spent their lives in forests in the past.

■Message

I hope that students will travel and meet many different people, learning how to become friends with them and how to express their feelings. Architecture is a physical object, but it is actually made by people, so how you interact with the people involved becomes important. That's why I hope students will travel a lot when they have the time.

Student Newspaper Special Edition April 2022 Issue Hiroshi Harada, 3rd year student at Waseda University / Yuki Iwai, 1st year student at N High School

Hiroshi Harada, third year student at Waseda University / Yuki Iwai, first year student at N High School / Midori Yamauchi, fourth year student at Soka University / Koji Ishida, second year student at Nihon University