The Darling Exchange by Kengo Kuma

Kengo Kuma has revealed plans for his first building in Australia, a cylindrical civic centre by Sydney's Darling Harbour that will feature the Japanese architect's characteristic timber cladding. Sydney will get a new public library as part of the AU$3.4 billion redevelopment of Darling Harbour. The redeveloped Darling Harbour precinct is expected to become home to 4,200 residents, 2,500 workers and 2,500 students.

Ribbons of light-coloured wood will wrap the curving building known as The Darling Exchange in an "organic and spontaneous manner" according to Kuma. Kuma is designing the stadium for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and this building, wrapped in spirals of timber, and giving it a beehive-like appearance, named The Darling Exchange, is his first project in Australia.

"Our aim is to achieve architecture that is as open and tangible as possible to the community, and this is reflected in the circular geometry that creates a building that is accessible and recognisable from multiple directions. The wooden screen wraps the exterior of the building in a dynamic and exciting manner, a historical reference to Darling Harbour originally being a hive of business activity and a focal point as a market exchange." said Kengo Kuma.

If approved, the Darling Exchange is expected to open in 2018. It will stand next to a new public space designed by Aspect Studios, who produced the plant facades for One Central Park on the former Tooths brewery site. Two retail pavilions will frame the civic space.

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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).