Kengo Kuma: My Life as an Architect in 25 Buildings

by Kengo Kuma

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 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 My Life as an Architect  is an intimate and truly inspiring book, revealing the beauty that exists in the world’s everyday spaces. 50 illustrations

Genres: Architecture, Japan, Asia, Nonfiction

128 pages, Hardcover

Published July 7, 2020

Reviews

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maybe the jacket was still being finalised as my cover reads My Life as an Architect in Tokyo, so this is an insightful look, through the architects own eyes of his projects in the capital. Also missing in the description here is that this is translated by Polly Barton, which is noted in small text in the book's credits.

Although briefly outlining through his descriptions of his buildings, the book offers a partial overview of other big names in the world of modern Japanese architecture, and their some comparisons between Japanese architecture and non Japanese architecture. That said, perhaps due to its brevity the book is quite a light read, perhaps each of the buildings examined deserves a book in it's own right.

This is an informative book, although when things are described as cool or hipster ish, my attention begins to wane a little, and I begin to think of run down buildings, neglected spaces, but I guess this is an interesting insight into how the city is constantly morphing, I've got to read up on Sanya. Perhaps the pace the city is changing makes it difficult to document.

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Took my time savoring this unique little book of Tokyo neighborhoods as seen through the eyes of Kengo Kuma. It’s an easy read as each chapter is based on a different neighborhood, each containing little anecdotes of his childhood, backstories of the area came about, other architects who worked on notable buildings there, sketches and black and white photos of his works to go with each chapter, and ultimately, why and how he designed each of the buildings to be the way it is.

[Lou Frost · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful photos and sketches, Kuma has a brilliant understanding of the different areas in Tokyo and what makes them unique and special.

[Nicole Chen · Rating 4 out of 5]

One star off cause working for his office felt kinda sus, but otherwise pretty nice urban and architectural overview of Tokyo’s neighbourhoods. Can’t deny that the man has an in-depth understanding of the city and its development.

[Clarita · Rating 5 out of 5]

If a friend ever travels to Tokyo I will gift them this book as companionship to a city marvelous discovery.

Loved being taken on a tour of the buildings, the changing times they reflected, the people to which changed their daily lives.

With a mixture of pictures, architecture drafts, personal memories, literature, social and historical commentaries... the book truly felt a complete immersion into Tokyo's soul. A book to read while roaming in the streets.

[Wayne Liberty · Rating 4 out of 5]

日本的建筑和中国有着同样的源，但是日本建筑走向了现代化，非常震撼，不同于西方的建筑，有着亚洲文化独有的特色。

隈研吾的建筑理念和日本的文化，生活相互融合，很美。

可惜的是书本里的照片太少得一边看书一边找图

[kumarjit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must book to have when an architect visits tokyo and wants to walk along its neighborhoods and explore layered architectural history!

[Lu · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've always thought that buildings reveal a lot about the cities they're in. They speak of history, religion, and context. In this book, Kuma acts as a translator between the building and the reader. In only a few pages, he manages to provide rich context, sharing details about life in Tokyo, its history, and how architecture itself tells that story. He explains why his projects take the form they do, innovating with deep respect for the past, for both his ancestors and his surroundings, and he speaks with such admiration for the architects who came before him.
This book is a beautiful journey through the heart of Tokyo, guided by someone who truly knows how to listen to it.

[Antreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

An intimate exploration of Tokyo through the eyes of the architect Kengo Kuma.

[Nate Stevens · Rating 3 out of 5]

Less interesting as an architectural biography and more interesting as an architectural guide to Tokyo, a sort of mini-urban-ethnography.