The architect, who is engaged in his very first North American residential project, has created a design practice that blends culture and nature.
From the Tokyo Starbucks of wooden sticks to Japan’s “green” 2020 Olympics stadium, Kengo Kuma has built an international design practice that blends culture and nature in stunning ways. There are offices located in Tokyo, Paris and Beijing, Kengo Kuma and Associates has created projects that range from Tiffany and Co.’s Ginza flagship in Tokyo as well as LVMH’s boutique and headquarters located in Osaka, Butrint National Park Visitor Center in Albania and the Hyatt Centric hotels in Malaysia.
Today, Kuma has designed his first North American high-rise project: the Alberni by Kengo Kuma, the 43-story residential tower located situated in the downtown of Vancouver. The luxurious, sculptural condominium that sold out in less than six weeks, features two distinct “scoops” that give it an individual look within the city’s dense glass and concrete landscape. Kuma also developed the ground floor with bamboo “forest,” a swirling the moss garden, and a design by Kuma for a Fazioli piano.
This is the first of several projects planned for architects and Westbank, which is the Vancouver developer behind Alberni. “We’re also planning the Kita, the most beautiful new collection of residences in Tokyo, and an office project in Silicon Valley,” Westbank founder Ian Gillespie told Mansion Global in an email.
Through a translator, Kuma spoke with Mansion Global about experiencing Zen at home, the aesthetic effects of bamboo, and the design his home in Alberni will appear like.
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Mansion Global: Reports about the Alberni have praised its incorporation of Japanese aesthetics in Vancouver’s urban setting. What is the way that the building reflects these aesthetics?
KK In contrast to traditional skyscrapers, we pay pay attention to the lower area and the level of ground beneath the structure, to ensure that the structure is in contact with the ground. Additionally, the technique of scooping, which may provide different meanings for the façade and the structure, can create harmony and connects it to its surroundings.
MG: In light of your experience on other projects of a large scale, How challenging was it to work with an exclusive residential developer? Did the requirements be more stringent when you consider that people will live within the structure?
KK The condominium is a place for rich residents and not think what people are looking for in this world is the natural environment and simplicity for a healthy life. Therefore, we designed the structure from this perspective like we have done with other projects.
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MG: In addition to the value to society of a building that is a landmark like the Alberni, How will the design impact the people who live there?
KK: We have added distinct elements to the building, including the amphitheater or a pool area, where visitors can feel that spirit of Zen. The tower is not just an area for people to live and relaxing, but also a place to explore the Zen philosophy. Zen.
Mg: What features of Vancouver’s city? Vancouver that made it a perfect match for this style?
KK: It’s close to both mountains and water, making it an ideal topography for connecting the humans and nature. We took advantage of this in the design.