Kengo Kuma – Breathing Architecture

Kengo Kuma s Teahouse is a masterly reinterpretation of a classical Japanese building type. Delivered in August 2007 for the Park of the Frankfurt Museum of Applied Arts (a Richard Meier Building), Kuma s innovative structure in flexible, semi-transparent, breathing Tenara-Membrane - inflated by means of a pneumatic system to a blossom-like form - houses in the interior the classical elements for Japanese tea ceremony. Integrated LED technology allows the use of the teahouse at night; the interior can be heated by way of the membrane. The monograph, including an original text by Kuma himself, gives an in-depth documentation of this lyrical temporary structure – an outstanding example of ephemeral architecture, combining poetry and technology - with many unpublished sketches, technical plans and with splendid colour photographs.