{"id":7522,"date":"2026-04-29T08:00:32","date_gmt":"2026-04-29T08:00:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.angesfinanciers.org\/?p=7522"},"modified":"2026-05-01T15:14:49","modified_gmt":"2026-05-01T15:14:49","slug":"six-projects-that-showcase-kengo-kumas-humane-and-beautiful-use-of-materials","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.angesfinanciers.org\/index.php\/2026\/04\/29\/six-projects-that-showcase-kengo-kumas-humane-and-beautiful-use-of-materials\/","title":{"rendered":"Six projects that showcase Kengo Kuma’s “humane and beautiful” use of materials"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Casa<\/div>\n

Japanese architect Kengo Kuma<\/a> is best known as a pioneer of wooden architecture, but his latest book<\/a>, Substance, showcases his expertise in a broad range of materials. In this roundup, he picks six projects made from everything from paper<\/a> to bamboo<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Published with The Images Publishing Group<\/a>, Substance explores Kuma’s eclectic portfolio through the lens of six materials \u2013 metal, paper, textile, bamboo, stone and wood.<\/p>\n

\"Substance
Kengo Kuma’s latest book explores his studio’s use of materials<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

According to the architect, the book encapsulates Kengo Kuma and Associates<\/a>‘ enduring efforts to create buildings with materials that best respond to local context and “establish a close relationship with people”.<\/p>\n

He said it is an important time to document and showcase this approach, as he anticipates an impending shift in architecture away from large-scale megaprojects in concrete and steel and toward smaller, more environmentally sensitive projects that prioritise regional resources.<\/p>\n

\"Textile
It focuses on six materials, such as stone and textile, as used in his Cave of Light and Shadow (top image) and Casa Umbrella (above) projects, respectively<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

“Amidst pandemics and never-ending wars, I believe that architecture in this century is at a significant turning point,” Kuma told Dezeen.<\/p>\n

“I see it as an era shifting from large architecture to small. We should reflect on how the high-rise, massive buildings of the 20th century have damaged the environment and impoverished the world in many respects,” he reflected.<\/p>\n

“What Kengo Kuma and Associates aim for is ‘small’ architecture, which is humane, beautiful and can establish a close relationship with people. I wanted to present our efforts on this in this book.”<\/p>\n

According to Kuma, the projects and materials showcased in Substance demonstrate the studio’s efforts to design in a way that is specific to a given site and its context.<\/p>\n

He said this is because “architecture is similar to agriculture” and that using “materials that are native to and cultivated in each specific region” should be prioritised.<\/p>\n