Kengo Kuma and His " Translucent Materials"

  The " Translucent Materials" does not mean the real translucent material, such as, frosted glass. It means the geometric or unordered assembly and permutation of the materials which form the gaps in building envelopes. Through these gaps, people who are in buildings can look the outside and vice versa. The boundary between buildings and nature becomes ambiguous, which makes buildings seem to be translucent.
             

Chokkura Plaza and Shelter

Great Bamboo Wall, tea pavilion, north of Beijing

Yusuhara Town Hall

  Take The Lotus House for instance. Kuma uses the " translucent material" to connect effectively the exterior space with the interior space. The Lotus House is a private vacation residence in the East Japan. Mountains and woods surround the house, and a small river borders one edge of the site. The house is on the northern of the river but it is above the level of the river, so that only the sound of the stream drifts upward and into the project's space. Water rises to the edge of the house in the form of a long, thin reflecting pool containing numerous lotus plants.

Lotus House, MATERIAL IMMATERIAL THE NEW WORK OF KENGO KUMA

http://beautifulrough.wordpress.com/2013/01/14/lotus-house/

   http://www.awacademy.org/2013/kengokuma.htm

   http://www.awacademy.org/2013/kengokuma.htm

   http://www.awacademy.org/2013/kengokuma.htm

  A diaphanous skin of 3 centimeters travertine panels cloaks the exterior of the house. These panels, measuring 20 by 60 centimeters, converge in a checkerboard grid, alternating with voids. 

 http://beautifulrough.wordpress.com/2013/01/14/lotus-house/

  The pattern is held in place by thin stainless steel elements which are spliced precisely between the travertine. So, they recede visually and the stone appears suspended in air(it is a amazing natural experience). Furthermore, the entire screen assembly hangs from the simple structure and sways lightly with the wind. Via eliminating the solid walls, Kuma offers visitors a  more closed opportunity to touch with nature.

http://michellekaufmann.com/2010/07/poetry-in-the-details/michelle-kaufmann-kengo-kuma-3/

  In the help of glass and open space, this screen breaks the boundary between nature and interior space. People feel they still lived within nature.

http://visitoflight.cgsociety.org/portfolio/project-detail/781082/

  

  It is hard to define how to communicate with the nature.The answer can be personal.  But I am sure about one thing----at least, we can feel the nature. It means we can listen, smell, look and think about the nature. Kengo Kuma's design and architectural philosophy show a modest and  gentle altitude towards nature.