A green brise-soleil against pollution: Z58 by Kengo Kuma

The intensity of Zhongtai Box, known as the Z58, goes beyond that very first green facade. That horizontally striped sight is only the first out of three filters in between which the architectural experience takes place. An exercise of dissolution of shape in favour of the spacial experience, that will not leave you indifferent.

Interior view of the circulation platforms through the water garden at Z58 by Kengo Kuma. Photograph © Mitsumasa Fujitsuka. Image courtesy of Kengo Kuma and Associates.

Architecture like music.'Because music doesn't have a physical form, but it molds time', Kengo Kuma says when explaining the building. And he sais so because Z58 is a perfect example of architecture that wants to dissolve its shape in favour of an spacial experience: Consisting on a series of filters which insinuate rather than showing, the different environments appear. The building, which is Kuma's second project in China, is the window of Zhongtai Lighting Group and was actually a renovation of an old factory which serves as an scaffold. The use of water as well as the striped facade to isolate the artificial watery landscape created inside, serve as an interpretation of the 'traditional Chinese humanistic spirit with a living nature which is away from the city', Kuma adds.

Descripción del proyecto por Kengo Kuma

Our intention is to make a multifunctional box that will provide protection from the din and bustle of Shanghai. As a countermeasure to the physical noise, louvers facing the street are arranged around a plant box made of mirror-finish stainless steel. They act as a filter between the building and the noise. A garden is placed between this filter and the main body of the building, and the building façade which faces the water garden comprises ribbed glass with water flowing cross it. The building is thereby protected by a triple filter. The building façade is composed of natural elements such as ivy, a pond, a waterfall. So-called artificial materials are made as invisible as possible. By escaping the noise of culture, the tradition of Chinese citizens living surrounded by nature is here transformed into architecture.

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Exterior view of the facade from Z58 by Kengo Kuma. Photograph © Mitsumasa Fujitsuka. Image courtesy of Kengo Kuma and Associates.

Façade detail, exterior view of Z58 by Kengo Kuma. Photograph © Mitsumasa Fujitsuka. Image courtesy of Kengo Kuma and Associates.

Z58 by Kengo Kunga within its context. Photograph © Mitsumasa Fujitsuka. Image courtesy of Kengo Kuma and Associates.

Exterior view of the facade. Z58 by Kengo Kuma. Photograph © Mitsumasa Fujitsuka. Image courtesy of Kengo Kuma and Associates.

Exterior view of the facade of Z58 by Kengo Kuma. Photograph © Mitsumasa Fujitsuka. Image courtesy of Kengo Kuma and Associates.

Interior view through the water garden at Z58 by Kengo Kuma. Photograph © Mitsumasa Fujitsuka. Image courtesy of Kengo Kuma and Associates.

Top view of the water garden at the courtyard of Z58 by Kengo Kuma. Interticial space between the green filter and the waterfall-facade Photograph © Mitsumasa Fujitsuka. Image courtesy of Kengo Kuma and Associates.

Interior view of the Z58 by Kengo Kuma. Photograph © Mitsumasa Fujitsuka. Image courtesy of Kengo Kuma and Associates.

Interior view of a bedroom at Z58 by Kengo Kuma. Photograph © Mitsumasa Fujitsuka. Image courtesy of Kengo Kuma and Associates.

Interior night view of a bedroom at Z58 by Kengo Kuma. Photograph © Mitsumasa Fujitsuka. Image courtesy of Kengo Kuma and Associates.

Evening view of the Z58 facade by Kengo Kuma. Photograph © Mitsumasa Fujitsuka. Image courtesy of Kengo Kuma and Associates.

Night view of the Z58 facade by Kengo Kuma. Photograph © Mitsumasa Fujitsuka. Image courtesy of Kengo Kuma and Associates.

Site plan of Z58 by Kengo Kuma. Image courtesy of Kengo Kuma and Associates.

Ground floor plan of Z58 by Kengo Kuma. Image courtesy of Kengo Kuma and Associates.

First floor plan of Z58 by Kengo Kuma. Image courtesy of Kengo Kuma and Associates.

Second Floor plan of Z58 by Kengo Kuma. Image courtesy of Kengo Kuma and Associates.

Third floor plan of Z58 by Kengo Kuma. Image courtesy of Kengo Kuma and Associates.

Facade of Z58 by Kengo Kuma. Image courtesy of Kengo Kuma and Associates.

Longitudinal schematic section of Z58 by Kengo Kuma. Image courtesy of Kengo Kuma and Associates.

Constructive detail of Z58 by Kengo Kuma, green facade. Image courtesy of Kengo Kuma and Associates.

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More information

Label

Architect

Text

Kengo Kuma and Associates

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Venue

Text

No.58 FanYu Rd, SHANGHAI, China

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Year of construction

Text

2005

Kengo Kuma. Kengo Kuma & Associates (KKAA)

Kengo Kuma was born in Yokohama (Kanagawa, Japan) in 1954. He studied architecture at the University of Tokyo, finishing his degree in 1979. In 1987, he opened the "Spatial Design Studio". In 1990 he founded "Kengo Kuma & Associates" and extended the study to Europe (Paris, France) in 2008. Since 1985 and until 2009, has taught as a visiting professor and holder at the universities of Columbia, Keio, Illinois and Tokyo.

Notable projects include Japan National Stadium (2019), V&A Dundee (2019), Odunpazari Modern Art Museum (2019), and The Suntory Museum of Art (2007).

Kengo Kuma proposes architecture that opens up new relationships between nature, technology, and human beings. His major publications include Zen Shigoto(The complete works, Daiwa S hobo)Ten Sen Men (“point, line, plane”, IwanamiShoten), Makeru Kenchiku (Architecture of Defeat, Iwanami Shoten), Shizen na Kenchiku(Natural Architecture, Iwanami Shinsho), Chii sana Kenchiku (Small Architecture, IwanamiShinsho) and many others.

Main Awards:

· 2011 The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's Art Encouragement Prize for "Yusuhara Wooden Bridge Museum."
· 2010 Mainichi Art Award for “Nezu Museum.”
· 2009 "Decoration Officier de L'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres" (France).
· 2008 Energy Performance + Architecture Award (France). Bois Magazine International Wood Architecture Award (France).
· 2002 Spirit of Nature Wood Architecture Award (Finland).
· 2001 Togo Murano Award for “Nakagawa-machi Bato Hiroshige Museum.”
· 1997 Architectural Institute of Japan Award for “Noh Stage in the Forest”. First Place, AIA DuPONT Benedictus Award for “Water/Glass” (USA).