Ostensibly a collection of writing that sets out Kengo Kuma's theories of architecture, but also an antivolume, antimegastructure, and in some sense anticapitalist, left-field critique of where the architecture world finds itself today. Point Line Plane is architectural theory, but written as narrative, full of intriguing vignettes, such as the fact that in Ancient Rome windows were fitted with slices of marble because glass was so expensive. It's written in a very Japanese form: a series of mini essays that circle around a theme and is aimed at a highly literate audience. Seventy-two related essays across four sections set out Kuma's rejection of the architecture of volume and mass that categorized the twentieth century in favor of a more ad hoc architecture that can be easily disassembled and, by drawing on tried and tested practices of the past, touch the earth more lightly.

Point Line Plane

Arts & Photography

Kuma, Kengo

Architecture

Thames&Hudson

The comprehensive monograph―now expanded―on one of Japan’s most important living architects
Since establishing his practice in 1990, Kengo Kuma has brought contemporary vigor to Japan’s already rich modern architectural heritage and developed projects far beyond his native country. Influenced by a period at Columbia University in New York and by the lessons of his mentor, Hiroshi Hara, Kuma has forged his own pared-back language: responsive to local nature and traditional construction, entirely contemporary in its execution, yet rooted in a Japanese sensibility.
The experience of his buildings is hypnotic and highly sensory. Much of this powerful effect is achieved by Kuma’s deft, sometimes dramatic, use of materials. Projects in the past five years alone include two museums in France, landscape projects in Italy, hotels and large- scale retail and commercial projects in China, and numerous projects in Japan, including a kindergarten.
Published to coincide with the opening of Kuma’s new Victoria &amp; Albert Museum in Dundee, Scotland, with the architect’s direct involvement, this volume, expanded to include five new projects, offers unparalleled insight into the mind of one of the great architects of the twenty-first century. 420 illustrations, 240 in color

Kengo Kuma: Complete Works: Expanded Edition

History & Criticism

A personal tour of Tokyo’s architecture, as seen through the eyes of one of the world’s most acclaimed architects who is also designing the primary venue for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic games.
Tokyo is Japan’s cultural and commercial epicenter, bursting with vibrancy and life. Its buildings, both historical and contemporary, are a direct reflection of its history and its people.
Kengo Kuma was only ten years old when he found himself so inspired by Tokyo’s cityscape that he decided to become an architect. Here he tells the story of his career through twenty-five inspirational buildings in the city. Kuma’s passion is evident on every page, as well as his curiosity about construction methods and his wealth of knowledge about buildings around the world, making this a unique commentary on Tokyo’s dynamic architecture.
Kengo Kuma: My Life as an Architect in 25 Buildings is an intimate and truly inspiring book, revealing the beauty that exists in the world’s everyday spaces. 50 illustrations

Kengo Kuma: My Life as an Architect in Tokyo (My Life as an Architect, 1)

The most comprehensive monograph available on the internationally renowned Belgian floral artist and designer Daniel Ost.
Daniel Ost's work in floral design gores far beyond table arrangements to bridge the gap between floral design and art. Using elements from the natural world – flowers, branches, and plants of all varieties, Ost crates large-scale, site-specific constructions that at times enter the realms of sculpture and set design. Ost has created exquisite installations for royal residences, embassies, temples, international art exhibitions, and the fashion industry.
Daniel Ost presents 80 of his most important projects while accompanying essays explore their significance and the inspiration behind them. Lavish photography illustrates each project in this visually inspiring sourcebook for all creative and design professionals.
Texts by Dutch author Cees Nooteboom and Japanese architect Kengo Kuma reflect on the impact of Ost's career.

Daniel Ost: Floral Art and the Beauty of Impermanence

Geerts, Paul

Phaidon Press

Architecture of Defeat

Kengo Kuma, one of Japan’s leading architects, has been combining professional practice and academia for most of his career. In addition to creating many internationally recognized buildings all over the world, he has written extensively about the history and theory of architecture. Like his built work, his writings also reflect his profound personal philosophy.   Architecture of Defeat is no exception. Now available in English for the first time, the book explores events and architectural trends in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries in both Japan and beyond. It brings together a collection of essays which Kuma wrote after disasters such as the destruction of the World Trade Center in New York City on 9/11 and the earthquake and tsunami that obliterated much of the built landscape on Japan’s northern shore in a matter of minutes in 2011. Asking if we have been building in a manner that is too self-confident or arrogant, he examines architecture’s intrinsic―and often problematic―relationship to the powerful forces of contemporary politics, economics, consumerism, and technology, as well as its vital ties to society.   Despite the title, Architecture of Defeat is an optimistic and hopeful book. Rather than anticipating the demise of architecture, Kuma envisages a different mode of conceiving architecture: guided and shaped by more modesty and with greater respect for the forces of our natural world.   Beautifully designed and illustrated, this is a fascinating insight into the thinking of one of the world’s most influential architects.

Routledge

Kengo Kuma, one of Japan’s leading architects, has been combining professional practice and academia for most of his career. In addition to creating many internationally recognized buildings all over the world, he has written extensively about the history and theory of architecture. Like his built work, his writings also reflect his profound personal philosophy. Architecture of Defeat is no exception. Now available in English for the first time, the book explores events and architectural trends in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries in both Japan and beyond. It brings together a collection of essays which Kuma wrote after disasters such as the destruction of the World Trade Center in New York City on 9/11 and the earthquake and tsunami that obliterated much of the built landscape on Japan’s northern shore in a matter of minutes in 2011. Asking if we have been building in a manner that is too self-confident or arrogant, he examines architecture’s intrinsic―and often problematic―relationship to the powerful forces of contemporary politics, economics, consumerism, and technology, as well as its vital ties to society. Despite the title, Architecture of Defeat is an optimistic and hopeful book. Rather than anticipating the demise of architecture, Kuma envisages a different mode of conceiving architecture: guided and shaped by more modesty and with greater respect for the forces of our natural world. Beautifully designed and illustrated, this is a fascinating insight into the thinking of one of the world’s most influential architects.

Kaira Looro Architecture Competition: Peace Pavilion

Looro, Kaira

Vecchio, Raoul

Ghirardelli, Agostino

D'Urso, Sebastiano

Salo, Ass Balouo

Brizzi, Giambattista

Independently published

Kaira Looro means “Architecture for Peace” in Mandinga, the language of one of the most important cultures in Sub-Saharan Africa. This is an international architecture competition open to students of architecture and young architects from all over the world. The goal of this initiative is to develop projects and studies focused on architecture in developing countries and on solutions to humanitarian and environmental emergencies.This book collects and presents the top projects: 1st prize, 2nd prize, 3rd prize, two honourable mentions, five mentions, and fifteen finalists evaluated by an international jury made up of Kengo Kuma (president of the jury), Agostino Ghirardelli, Azzurra Muzzonigro, Rainer Kasik, Angelo Ferrara, René Bouman, Pilar Diez Rodriguez, Camillo Magni, Toschiki Hirano, Giuseppe Mazzaglia, Sebastiano D’Urso, Ignazio Lutri, and Raoul Vecchio.The book also includes a preface by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma and reflections on the potential and perspectives of architecture on the African continent, written by A. Ghirardelli, S. D’Urso, R.Bouman, G. Mazzaglia, P. D. Rodriguez and R. Vecchio. All proceeds from the competition and from the sale of this book have been donated to the Non-profit Organization Balouo Salo to support humanitarian projects in Africa.

Kaira Looro Architecture Competition: Cultural Center

Mazzaglia, Giuseppe

Rodriguez, Pilar Diez

Bouman, René

An "object" is a work of architecture that is expressly designed for maximum isolation. While not exclusive to any particular architectural style, objects have been the organizing principle for many modernist and postmodernist works. Indeed, they might even be said to be the very strategy by which modernism succeeded in conquering the world. Why is objectification so widespread? In Anti-Object, Kengo Kuma argues it is because it shares the aims of the prevailing economic system. He suggests and illustrates his alternative to objectification through a discussion of the various stratagems of his work.

Anti-object: Aa Words 2

Architectural Association

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Kengo Kuma: Works and Projects

Alini, Luigi

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Kuma, Kengo. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Kuma, Kengo

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Kuma, Kengo. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Point Line Plane

Kengo Kuma: Complete Works: Expanded Edition

Kengo Kuma: My Life as an Architect in Tokyo (My Life as an Architect, 1)

Daniel Ost: Floral Art and the Beauty of Impermanence

Architecture of Defeat

Architecture of Defeat

Kaira Looro Architecture Competition: Peace Pavilion

Kaira Looro Architecture Competition: Cultural Center

Anti-object: Aa Words 2

Kengo Kuma: Works and Projects