“Iiyama Plaza” by Kengo Kuma & Associates

Kengo Kuma & Associates won the first prize for the proposal-typed competition to design and supervise “Iiyama Plaza (tentative name)” in Nagano Prefecture.

In the project, the 49-year old civic hall will be replaced by the new “Plaza,” which is expected to promote cultural activities and enhance the quality of public services for the town. The “Plaza” comes at the existing Iiyama Station. Together with the new station for Hokuriku Shinkansen, which starts its operation in two years’ time, it will give an additional attraction to the town.

For this small northern Shinshu town, which is going to enliven itself with the running of Shinkansen, we proposed an idea of a “street,” in order to create a new community and activity. The halls and other facilities in the plaza will bring in and further grow the liveliness of the town via passages in and out of the building, and function as the center of revitalization of the town.

Please see the following website for further information: Iiyama city website:

http://www.city.iiyama.nagano.jp/top

Developer / City of Iiyama
Site / Iiyama, Nagano, Japan
Main use / Cultural Hall
Total floor area / 3,500 m2
Height / 2 stories above ground and 1 below

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More information

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).