In an episode last summer, I covered my first autobiography about the story and works of Yoshihiro Takishita. Looking back at my catalog of podcasts, I found this to be one of the most insightful and enjoyable to listen to.

For a few months now, I’ve been dwelling in the realm of ideas — about beauty, tradition, modernism — and have been itching to bring them down to a more practical, human level. There’s no better place to start than to re-explore the genre of biography. The practitioners of architecture will no doubt have much to offer as I work on my Japanese farmhouse restoration.

Today, Kengo Kuma will give us a tour of his finished works throughout Tokyo, which range from epic sports venues to regal museums to quaint confectionary shops. As arguably the greatest wood architect of his generation, he advocates for an architecture that respects and takes into account its surroundings — as opposed to obtrusive buildings that selfishly obscure their neighbors.

Since my project is mostly a historic building restoration, the house should take its humble place within the neighborhood without much difficulty. However, I think Kuma can still offer inspiration in another area. Collapsed roofs and rotten columns will need full replacement, and there will be plenty of room to use new wood material in a creative (Kuma-influenced) way to bridge the old and the new.

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Books Mentioned In This Episode:

When you purchase a book (or anything on Amazon) with the links below, you support me and the podcast at no extra cost to you:

* My Life as an Architect in Tokyo

* The Art of Japanese Joinery

* Frank Lloyd Wright: An Autobiography

* Frank Lloyd Wright by Ada Louise Huxtable

* Brunelleschi's Dome: How a Renaissance Genius Reinvented Architecture

Kengo Kuma’s Works Mentioned

* Japan National Stadium

* Meiji Jingu Museum

* Sunny Hills

* Daiwa Ubiquitous Computing Research Building

* Asakusa Tourist Information Center

Links to More Resources:

* How to Install a French Drain — Akiya Project YouTube

* Learn Ikebana in Kobe (with me and a local expert!) on TripAdvisor

* Lowering Your Basement on YouTube

* Grand Morillon Student Residence at IHEID

* Yoyogi National Stadium

* University of Tokyo — Hongo Campus

* Yoshikazu Uchida

* Yoshichika Uchida

* Frank Lloyd Wright’s Imperial Hotel

* Asakusa Shrine

* Asahi Beer Headquarters

Products Used For the Build

* Hammer Drill Shovel Bit

* Makita Hammer Drill

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#55 Kengo Kuma's Life as an Architect in Tokyo