Kengo Kuma: Naturescape

During the 2013 Salone del Mobile, the Japanese architect created a striking installation using combinations of natural elements — stone, plants, water, bamboo, gravel — to create dreamlike images of a Japanese garden.

During the 2013 Salone del Mobile, Japanese architect Kengo Kuma created Naturescape, a striking installation using combinations of natural elements — stone, plants, water, bamboo, gravel — to create dreamlike images of a Japanese garden, inviting the visitor to experience the elegance, tranquility and wisdom of Zen simplicity evoked by the surrounding space. Located in a new office building designed by KPF - Kohn Pedersen Fox Architects, the installation was part of Urban Stories, a series of narratives suspended between design and architecture by Michele De Lucchi, Diego Grandi and Kuma, and was realised with the backing of Frassinagodiciotto and Il Casone, with Agape, Pratic, Tribù and Vaselli, and technical support by Davide Groppi.

The mellow shapes of the stonework in Florentine Pietra Forte, finished with sandstone from leading quarry Il Casone, work together to outline and contain mirror-like pools of water. The elements in stone, modelled to follow and gently echo the planes conceived Naturescape, interface with a bamboo forest, a vertical woodland created by landscape architecture studio Frassinagodiciotto, who took care of all aspects of the project as well as its green elements, acting as project manager throughout, from conception to finishing touches.

The lawn was crowned by stone kitchen fittings from Vaselli, while the water features were brought to life by the sculpture-like elements of Agape. Numerous items of furniture by Belgian outdoor furniture brand Tribù were featured in the installation, while the two outdoor spaces, which complement the indoor area in design and materials, showcased two metal exterior structures by Pratic. The installation's lighting was designed by Davide Groppi.

Kengo Kuma and Associates: Naturescape
Installation design: Kengo Kuma and Associates
Presentation: Frassinagodiciotto
Materials supplied by: Il Casone
A project for: Agape, Frassinagodiciotto, Il Casone, Pratic, Tribu, Vaselli
Project lighting: Davide Groppi
Setting: Urban Stories, a project by MoscaPartners in collaboration with Hines Italia and with overall sponsorship by Oikos

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Kengo Kuma: Naturescape

During the 2013 Salone del Mobile, the Japanese architect created a striking installation using combinations of natural elements — stone, plants, water, bamboo, gravel — to create dreamlike images of a Japanese garden.

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