Sustainable design: architect behind Japan’s new national stadium on his natural, local philosophy

Nearly 20 years ago, Japanese architect Kengo Kuma completed his first project in China. Great (Bamboo) Wall, a residence in a forest next to the Great Wall of China, was built largely from the local sustainable material after which it was named. Kuma was also careful to build without excessive interference with the geographical features of the land.

The residence is designed as a tall fortification that echoes the ancient structure built along China’s historical northern borders. Instead of barricading the interiors from the outside world, however, Kuma built the dwelling with poles spaced apart to create an architectural filter for light and wind.

For the 65-year-old architect, born in Yokohama and based in Tokyo, using bamboo is a symbol of cultural exchange between two countries; giant moso chiku bamboo was introduced in the 1700s to Japan from China via the Ryukyu kingdom (modern-day Okinawa).

Today, Kuma is an architect celebrated equally for his use of local natural materials and his increasing focus on sustainability, which has given his work relevance internationally. His firm, Kengo Kuma & Associates (KKAA), has completed more than 20 projects in China since Great (Bamboo) Wall, and 60 per cent of the studio’s work now is outside Japan.

Still, 2020 will be a landmark year in Japan for the architect: the highly anticipated new National Stadium is nearing completion and will have its inauguration this December ahead of the 2020 Olympic Games. Designed by Kuma and constructed by Tokyo-based firms Taisei and Azusa Sekkei, the 60,000-capacity stadium in Tokyo’s Kasumigaoka neighbourhood will host the games’ opening and closing ceremonies, and key athletic events next year.