Kengo Kuma has made a name for himself with large-scale avant-garde projects. The Japanese architect often uses natural materials such as stone and wood, taking inspiration from Japan’s traditional elements-based architecture. Two recent projects show his firm’s ability to scale up these concepts: The coastal V&A Dundee museum in Scotland is covered in concrete panels and appears to be shaped like a series of ships or possibly a craggy cliff face. And his biggest triumph to date is the 68,000-seat National Japan Stadium for the 2020 Summer Olympics, which is covered in a series of eaves made of wood from each of the country’s prefectures. Other recent projects include his first residential tower in the U.S., a condo in Miami developed by Aman inspired by the city’s art deco history. In addition to his work as a designer, he’s also celebrated as a thought-provoking writer. Among his large collection of books, his most recent, Kengo Kuma: My Life as an Architect in Tokyo, was published in 2021.
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