A dynamic tradition. Yunoeki Oyu Community Center by Kengo Kuma and Associates

Kengo Kuma designed a community centre around hot springs in Kazuno, Japan. A space that integrates diverse activities and builds on tradition through the way wood is used.

Yunoeki Oyu Community Center by Kengo Kuma and Associates. Photograph by Kawasumi Kobayashi Kenji Photograph Office

Kengo Kuma's firm used ring-shaped laminated veneer as a structure, following the regional traditional art of "bent-wa-wa". This structure can be used as a partition and as a shelf, which allows for a fluid space that changes according to the program.

Description of project by Kengo Kuma

The project is located in the southwest of Akita Prefecture, northern Japan, in the city of Kazuno. A location characterized by a humid continental climate with great differences in seasonal temperatures, hot summers and cold winters, so that wood is the predominant material in the project.

Oyu onsen is a famous hot spring in Kazuno, Akita. We designed a community center here incorporating a shop, café, open-air theater, park, footbath, and biotope under one large roof.

In order to create a dynamic space which varies according to the diverse programs, we referred to mage wappa, a round lunch basket made of thin wood, a traditional craft in Akita’s.

Cylinders of LVL (laminated veneer lumber) reference mage wappa and comprise the structure of the building.The assemblage of those rings then functions not only as a transparent structure but also as a partition or a shelf when needed.

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Site plan. Yunoeki Oyu Community Center by Kengo Kuma and Associates

Guide plan. Yunoeki Oyu Community Center by Kengo Kuma and Associates

Drawing. Yunoeki Oyu Community Center by Kengo Kuma and Associates

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More information

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Architects

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Kengo Kuma & Associates.

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Area

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Yuno station.- 653.81 m². Market.- 247.05 m². Stage.- 59.46 m².

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Dates

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04.2018.

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Location

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Kazuno city - Akita Prefecture, Japan.

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).