After it was announced in 2015 that Kengo Kuma¡¯s plan for the new National Stadium for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics would replace Zaha Hadid¡¯s controversial design, the architect¡¯s scaled-down and less flamboyant vision did, admittedly, receive its own fair share of criticism. For the most part, though, Kuma¡¯s use of wood and local craftsmanship was largely applauded as being appropriate to represent Japan.
Prior to the decision, Kuma¡¯s was already a well-respected brand, particularly in the international architecture scene. The high-profile news simply gave him an extra boost, making him a household name.
With his legacy now assured, however, will it be the right narrative? At a recent Japan Cultural Expo press conference for Kuma¡¯s first solo exhibition at The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo (MOMAT), curator Kenjiro Hosaka lamented that the architect¡¯s work may have been ¡°misinterpreted¡± by those who focus too much on its commercial and photogenic aspects.
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