Architecture practice Kengo Kuma and Associates (KKAA) has completed the Kibi Kogen N Square (a coworking and cafeteria, in the countryside), in Kibichuo, a town nestled in the Kaga district, in the central Okayama Prefecture of Japan.

The main characteristic of this space is its abstract image, recalling the main local activities. As if it were a set of large stacked planks, the building image is characterized by the arrangement of the large bands of the wooden structure. The 585 square meters of interior area, are extensively defined by the use of CLT panels.

Kengo Kuma's project uses the main product of the area as a concept, both outside and inside, and serves as a claim to highlight that Okayama is the largest producer of CLT panels in all of Japan. The space aims to be a meeting point between the local University of Okayama and the local industry.

The building opens with large windows on its main and rear facades, taking advantage of the horizontal turns of the two and twenty-meter-high exterior bands, to achieve constant central lighting throughout the interior. A two-story space, each four meters high, completely open, to house any type of program.

The project has used CLT panels, 2.2 m wide, 35 m long and 21 cm thick, to create the image of four large slats stacked in the field.

Kibi Kogen N Square by Kengo Kuma & Associates. Photograph by Kenji Kobayashi / Kawasumi

Kibi Kogen N Square by Kengo Kuma & Associates. Photograph by Kenji Kobayashi / Kawasumi.

Kibi Kogen N Square by Kengo Kuma & Associates. Photograph by Kenji Kobayashi / Kawasumi

Kibi Kogen N Square by Kengo Kuma & Associates. Photograph by Kenji Kobayashi / Kawasumi.

Project description by Kengo Kuma & Associates

A regional exchange and creative facility centring on coworking and a café in Kibichuo, a town on the plateau in the centre of Okayama Prefecture. A local company, Systems Nakashima, took the initiative to develop the project.

CLT panels, of which Okayama is the largest producer in Japan, were used throughout the structure and interior.

The CLT panels, 2.2m wide, 35m long, and 21cm thick, are stacked at varying angles across the site, with a height difference of approximately 4m. The panels' angular misalignment creates various spaces and openings in between.

Kibi Kogen N Square por Kengo Kuma & Associates. Fotografía por Kenji Kobayashi / Kawasumi
Kibi Kogen N Square by Kengo Kuma & Associates. Photograph by Kenji Kobayashi / Kawasumi.

The open space, which differs from the closed and repetitive impression of conventional CLT structures, represents the spirit of the facility's theme of openness and collaboration within the local community, including the participation of local Okayama University in the co-working space. Through these spaces, a crossover of activities that transcend generations and industry-academia boundaries is expected.

More information

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Architects
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Kengo Kuma and Associates (KKAA). Architect.- Kengo Kuma.

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Project team
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Shin Oba, Taiki Monaka, Kyoko Mase.

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Collaborators
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Kozo Keikaku Engineering.

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Builder
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UG Giken.

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Client
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Systems Nakashima.

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Area
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585 m². 2 Floors.

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Dates
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Completion.- March 2024.

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Location
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4469-126 Yoshikawa, Kibichuo, Kaga District, Okayama 716-1241, Japan.

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Kengo Kuma was born in Yokohama (Kanagawa, Japan) in 1954. He studied architecture at the University of Tokyo, finishing his degree in 1979. In 1987, he opened the "Spatial Design Studio". In 1990 he founded "Kengo Kuma & Associates" and extended the study to Europe (Paris, France) in 2008. Since 1985 and until 2009, has taught as a visiting professor and holder at the universities of Columbia, Keio, Illinois and Tokyo.

Notable projects include Japan National Stadium (2019), V&A Dundee (2019), Odunpazari Modern Art Museum (2019), and The Suntory Museum of Art (2007).

Kengo Kuma proposes architecture that opens up new relationships between nature, technology, and human beings. His major publications include Zen Shigoto(The complete works, Daiwa S hobo)Ten Sen Men (“point, line, plane”, IwanamiShoten), Makeru Kenchiku (Architecture of Defeat, Iwanami Shoten), Shizen na Kenchiku(Natural Architecture, Iwanami Shinsho), Chii sana Kenchiku (Small Architecture, IwanamiShinsho) and many others.

Main Awards:

· 2011 The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's Art Encouragement Prize for "Yusuhara Wooden Bridge Museum."
· 2010 Mainichi Art Award for “Nezu Museum.”
· 2009 "Decoration Officier de L'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres" (France).
· 2008 Energy Performance + Architecture Award (France). Bois Magazine International Wood Architecture Award (France).
· 2002 Spirit of Nature Wood Architecture Award (Finland).
· 2001 Togo Murano Award for “Nakagawa-machi Bato Hiroshige Museum.”
· 1997 Architectural Institute of Japan Award for “Noh Stage in the Forest”. First Place, AIA DuPONT Benedictus Award for “Water/Glass” (USA).

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Published on: November 7, 2024
Cite: "Coworking and cafeteria, in the countryside. Kibi Kogen N Square by Kengo Kuma & Associates" METALOCUS. Accessed
<https://www.metalocus.es/en/news/coworking-and-cafeteria-countryside-kibi-kogen-n-square-kengo-kuma-associates> ISSN 1139-6415
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