The criteria for architecture after the tsunami is humbleness
You could say that my aim is ‘to recover the place’. The place is a result of nature and time; this is the most important aspect. I think my architecture is some kind of frame of nature. With it, we can experience nature more deeply and more intimately. Transparency is a characteristic of Japanese architecture; I try to use light and natural materials to get a new kind of transparency.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the harmony between architecture and nature, highlighting how design can enhance our experience of the natural world.
Kengo Kuma's quote reflects his philosophy of architecture as a medium that allows people to connect with nature on a deeper level. He believes that through the careful use of natural materials and light, architecture can create spaces that amplify the beauty of the natural environment, thereby enabling a more intimate experience with it. This approach champions transparency and encourages a seamless interaction between human-made structures and the natural landscape.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
During a presentation on sustainable architecture, this quote can illustrate the importance of integrating natural elements into designs.
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I'd like to point out to people the divine in a musical language that transcends words. I want to speak to their souls.
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The delight we experience when we allow ourselves to respond to a fairy tale, the enchantment we feel, comes not from the psychological meaning of the tale (although this contributes to it) but from its literary qualities-the tale itself as a work of art.
Music will never go away, and I will never stop making music; it's just what capacity or what arena you decide to do it.