The criteria for architecture after the tsunami is humbleness
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the importance of humility in architectural design, especially after a disaster.
Kengo Kuma's quote highlights the need for architects to adopt a humble approach when rebuilding after catastrophic events like tsunamis. This humility should inform their designs, acknowledging the power of nature and the fragility of human life, prioritizing sustainability and respect for the environment over grandeur or excess.
In practice
During a talk on sustainable building practices, one might reference Kuma's quote to encourage architects to design with humility.
You could say that my aim is βto recover the placeβ. 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.
Modern buildings of our time are so huge that one must group them. Often the space between these buildings is as important as the buildings themselves.
We're always taught that we're building for permanence, but why? I like the idea of a prosthetic architecture! When a section is removed, the building readjusts its weight distribution, like a living body.
It is insufficient for architecture today to directly implement an existing building typology; it instead requires architects to carefully examine the whole area with new interventions and programmatic typologies
It is difficult to design a space that will not attract people. What is remarkable is how often this has been accomplished.
I realize that having a style would be very beneficial for my practice from a marketing standpoint, but I can't do it. I believe my responsibilities as an architect are to design the most appropriate building for the place. Each place has a distinct culture and function, which for me requires an appropriate answer.
Architects design buildings; that's what we do, so we have to go with the flow; and, even though I'm still an old Leftie, global capitalism does have its good side. It's broken down barriers - the Berlin Wall, the Soviet Union - it's raised a lot of people up economically, and for architects, it has meant that we can work around the world.
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