Kengo Kuma : « La première fois qu’une architecture m’a ému, c’était celle d’une église »
Renowned Japanese architect Kengo Kuma discusses his design philosophy and his recent intervention at the Angers Cathedral in France. He emphasizes a "dialogue with the place" over architectural ego, focusing on topography, local materials, and the Japanese concept of wabi-sabi, which finds beauty in the aging of materials over time. Kuma reflects on how his first emotional encounter with architecture occurred in a Christian chapel as a child, an experience that continues to inform his use of light and verticality.
This interview highlights the increasing trend of integrating contemporary architectural interventions into historic heritage sites. By discussing the technical and aesthetic challenges of building adjacent to ancient structures, Kuma provides insight into how modern design can respect and converse with the past. His approach underscores a shift in global architecture toward sustainability, local context, and the preservation of cultural memory through material sensitivity.