THE SIMPLE LIFE
Tatler Philippines|May 2023
What does the future of architecture look like? According to Kengo Kuma, it’s smaller-scale, sustainability-focused and about creating a lasting sense of joy rather than a fleeting moment of awe
Coco Marett
THE SIMPLE LIFE

Steel, concrete and inflated egos are ruining cities. At least that’s what Japanese architect Kengo Kuma believes.

“Buildings need life. Concrete and steel buildings … we cannot feel life from them,” Kuma told Tatler when we visited his office in Tokyo’s affluent Aoyama district in October last year. His firm, Kengo Kuma & Associates, occupies multiple floors in a small commercial building, accessed by an old, rickety lift that holds five people at a time, at the most.

It’s a quaint setup for a visionary of Kuma’s calibre—he has completed more than 300 projects in 20 countries around the world, and was named the World’s Most Influential Architect by Time magazine in 2021—but his less-is-more approach is what has made him so prolific.

“Sometimes, design can destroy a place. In the 20th century, to build something monumental was the goal for many architects, to make their mark in history. These great designs can destroy the landscape and the environment,” says Kuma. “But now, the goal is to blend in—to become one with the environment. I think good, humble design is better than great design.”

Kuma’s works serve as places where the past and present connect, and where visitors can experience Japan’s history through a contemporary lens. He’s known for his love of wood, which he uses in most of his projects, big or small—whether it’s a community library in Yusuhara, a small town in Japan’s southwest, or the 68,000 capacity Japan National Stadium where the Tokyo Olympics were hosted in 2020 and where he incorporated 47 unique types of wood sourced from Japan’s 47 prefectures, as a symbol of unity.

Denne historien er fra May 2023-utgaven av Tatler Philippines.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra May 2023-utgaven av Tatler Philippines.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA TATLER PHILIPPINESSe alt
ON THE HIGH SEAS
Tatler Philippines

ON THE HIGH SEAS

Experience luxury and elegance on Silversea's Mediterranean cruise, an extraordinary journey crafted for unforgettable adventures and memories.

time-read
4 mins  |
December 2024
HOLLYWOOD DREAMS
Tatler Philippines

HOLLYWOOD DREAMS

Get to know the Filipinos who are making a dent in the world's entertainment capital-each striving to empower fellow Filipino filmmakers to shine globally

time-read
7 mins  |
December 2024
THE SECOND PITASE
Tatler Philippines

THE SECOND PITASE

What was once an impossible dream of cleaning up the notorious Pasig River has now become a beacon of hope and praise. We look into the next stage as the rehabilitation moves forward

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2024
SPARKLING DIAMOND
Tatler Philippines

SPARKLING DIAMOND

Anchored on faith and her father's guidance, Annette Gozon Valdes reflects on the evolution of the media industry, the end of network wars and the critical factors behind GMA Network's 75 meaningful years

time-read
10 mins  |
December 2024
THE PRESIDENT'S SANCTUARY
Tatler Philippines

THE PRESIDENT'S SANCTUARY

Renovated in 2022, the official residence of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos offers glimpses into the past and future of the Philippines' seat of power

time-read
5 mins  |
December 2024
THE ENDURING NOISIA
Tatler Philippines

THE ENDURING NOISIA

Legendary American designer Thom Browne, known for reinventing tailoring and combining it with the wildest imagination, reflects on how he's excelled over his 20-plusyear career by doing what he truly loves

time-read
7 mins  |
December 2024
Sculpted in Million Gold
Tatler Philippines

Sculpted in Million Gold

Step into the golden sphere of Rabanne and define yourself with a fragrance that speaks to your confident self

time-read
2 mins  |
December 2024
No Shortcuts
Tatler Philippines

No Shortcuts

The Lexus UX300e all-electric vehicle is proudly crafted with the utmost attention to detail and consideration for the environment

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2024
Night in the Sky
Tatler Philippines

Night in the Sky

Taste of Luxe is Insular Life's (InLife) recurring culinary lifestyle event, delighting members of its Amorsolo Circle with delectable meals paired with fine wine

time-read
2 mins  |
December 2024
Wine Not?
Tatler Philippines

Wine Not?

One of the key figures behind New York's Michelin-starred restaurants Atomix, Atoboy, and Naro is Jhonel Faelnar, a Filipino sommelier who admits his passion for wine came as a pleasant surprise

time-read
5 mins  |
December 2024