Kengo Kuma, “Return to Nature”

Architecture must bridge the gap between human life and the natural environment, an ethos deeply ingrained in Kengo Kuma’s philosophy. Kuma prioritizes harmony with surroundings, using materials like wood and stone that are not only sustainable but also evoke warmth and intimacy. This approach reconnects people with nature while redefining the boundaries of urban spaces. Throughout Kuma’s projects, such as the Japan National Stadium and V&A Dundee in Scotland, Kuma has challenged modernist trends that overemphasize industrial materials like concrete. Instead, he advocates for lightness, transparency, and adaptability—values rooted in Japanese traditions that are also universally resonant.

Kuma pursues “openness and intimacy” in his designs, promoting structures that welcome their surroundings rather than dominate them. By combining traditional craftsmanship with modern technology, architecture can evolve into spaces that respect both cultural heritage and ecological systems.

In this lecture, Kuma invites architects, designers, and students to reconsider their roles in fostering a symbiotic relationship with nature. Together, we can craft a future where urban landscapes complement their natural contexts rather than compete with them.

Host or Publisher Harvard University Graduate School of Design