Research - Kenzo Tange

 In this post, I will be talking about   (1913-2005), a Japanese architect and winner of the  1987 Pritzker Architecture Prize. He has different works around the world, and he experiments with different styles, such as traditional Japanese architecture and Western modernism, as well as urban growth and brutalism. He uses concrete and geometrical shapes as well as sustainable materials; his style depends on what he is trying to express, whether it is complexity or comfort, he uses different styles to communicate his ideas.

One of his most interesting pieces of work to me is the Tange Residence, built in 1953 is one of the most traditional-looking buildings in his projects. According to Law (2018), the facade and the materials used made it look like traditional Japanese architecture. The house was inspired by Le Corbusier's Villa Savoye, Ibit (2018), as it uses the idea of exposed pillars and automobile space, it uses every space it has to give functionality. The facades  (Principal front of a building) regardless of the inspiration for the building Tange made it look like a Japanese house he uses wood as a primary material and incorporate features like an Engawa a floor extension at one side of the Japanese style house that faced a garden, or a Fusuma a paper type door, this features especially the paper used for doors makes the light of the space more equal on terms of distribution. He mixed for example the Engawa and converted it into a balcony. He not only  used traditional design in the interior but as well on the landscape of the site this complementing his project as not only something that can be build and focus on the interior but the exterior of the project, I had not taken into account a lot of my outside landscape as I have been to concentrate in the design and the concept my building will have. I will be developing more on this taking into account Tanges principles.

The Tange Residence (1953 ) 

This type of design not only helps with the distribution of the space but also with the experimentation of different features. He uses a unique principle, yet uses the inspiration from a different source, similar in terms of lines and comfort as well as space, but not the same. This type of architecture is important; it helps expand ideas and concepts. For example at the beginning of my project I did only have a concept and idea of what principals my design will need to have, but over time and research I discovered out that it not only has to be center by one concept, I could eventually used different features taking into account one single guide, in this case sustainability, comfort and durability, so that the family has the opportunity to grow and stay in that house for a long time taking into account that design portrait in Bauhaus, mid century and organic architecture.  

This example interested me as I haven't seen before an example of the mixture of two styles, and this example makes this idea really well, as it doesn't overuse and style over the other, it gives a balance and complements them. I wanted to use the design of mid-century architecture while using the principles of Bauhaus, to complement the space, using both to create an ideal space for my client.

References 

The Hyatt Foundation (2025). Kenzo Tange | The Pritzker Architecture Prize. [online] www.pritzkerprize.com. Available at: https://www.pritzkerprize.com/laureates/1987#laureate-page-93 [Accessed 7 May 2025].

Law, L.Y. (2018). Tange Kenzo — the bridge connecting traditional and contemporary architecture. [online] Medium. Available at: https://lonylaw.medium.com/tange-kenzo-the-bridge-connecting-traditional-and-contemporary-architecture-3fe7d8cab58d [Accessed 7 May 2025].