Beyond Structure: Kengo Kuma’s Integration of Material Sensibility, Environmental Responsiveness, and Tectonics
List of Authors
Chuloh Jung, Massimiliano Gotti Porcinari, Wijdan Mubarak N. Aldowsary
Keyword
Material Sensibility, Tectonics in Architecture, Kengo Kuma, Sensory Architecture, Environmental Responsiveness
Abstract
This study explores Kengo Kuma’s architectural philosophy, focusing on the interplay between material sensibility and tectonics in his works. Kuma challenges conventional notions of material application by emphasizing the sensory properties of materials rather than their purely structural functions. His approach integrates traditional craftsmanship with modern technology, creating architectural spaces that engage the human senses. The research examines selected works completed after 1995, emphasizing projects where materials mediate between space and human perception. The study employs a diagrammatic analysis to investigate the correlation between sensory material expressions and their constructive meanings, revealing a recurring pattern in Kuma’s layering techniques, transparency, and permeability. The findings suggest that Kuma’s method of "particlization" - fragmenting architectural elements into smaller, adaptable units - enhances environmental responsiveness and tactile engagement. His rejection of rigid, monolithic structures in favor of dynamic, responsive materials allows architecture to evolve with changing natural conditions. The research concludes that Kuma’s integration of materiality, space, and human experience establishes a new paradigm in contemporary architecture, moving from visual dominance to a phenomenological, sensory-driven approach. This study contributes to the broader discourse on tectonics and material sensibility, offering insights into how architecture can transcend traditional construction methodologies to create spaces that are not just occupied but genuinely experienced.