Wood Magazine - Issue 2, 2013

»I choose wood where it is exposed to our human senses.«

Trä meets

The planned extension to the Stockholm art gallery Liljevalchs Konsthall may be a work by the internationally renowned architect Kengo Kuma. His firm Kengo Kuma & Associates is involved in one of the teams competing for the job.

When do you choose to use wood?
“We choose wood whenever the material is available and we like to use it in spaces where the surfaces are solid and where they are exposed to our human senses.”

What is the difference between European and Japanese wooden architecture?
“The biggest difference comes from the size of the trees. It used to be that only small trees were available in Japan. This has resulted in a refined joinery technique developing in the country.”

Will wood be used for the Liljevalchs extension, if you win the competition?
“We’ve just started researching and analysing the project, so no decisions have been made as yet. But it would be great to use local wood.”

What is your view on the increasing move towards prefabrication in the wood manufacturing industry?

“I believe fully exploring the technique could open up a host of new opportunities. There has long been a tradition in Japan of ensuring that wooden structures can be disassembled and reassembled without damaging the material. This has been achieved using complex joinery techniques that require no mechanical fixings. If prefabrication can learn from such ancient wisdom, the future could be very interesting indeed.”

»I choose wood where it is exposed to our human senses.«

Kengo Kuma

Personalities that trä has met

»The world really has to achieve something major this year.«

»If you have an idea, it’s important to be involved with all the details«

»It’s important to be involved in regular housing development.«

“We must use every type of resource in the most effective way possible.”

»Doesn’t it feel like we’re in a wood revolution?«

»Important to encourage an interest in architecture.«

»We have to play our part in creating great architecture«

»BIM is going to break through with today’s young people. They are our future.«

“I’m always working on the best mix of materials”

There’s far too little capacity in the market when it comes to CLT

A new way to save energy

Structure and form or form and structure? That is the question

“We’re constantly striving to come up with new engineering ideas”

“Wood was more exciting than working with concrete.”

»In order to design wooden buildings, you have to be interested in trees.«

»We’re constantly looking for the best combination of form and structure«

»Tall buildings can be built faster and more economically«

We want to help build a cleaner & more attractive city

»We want to reconnect with the material’s history«

»Sweden could become a leading wood nation«

»Knowledge is turning more people onto wood«

»Within three years, we’ll be constructing 16-storey buildings in wood«

“Work more closely with the forest industry”

»The material is the machine!«

“We’re going to see more examples of attractive facades”

»Show respect for and challenge the setting.«

»Wood is a democratic material.«

»Good architecture ensures better care for older people.«

»We architects have to learn to embrace toxin-free & eco-friendly designs.«

»Architectural, eco-friendly and good value housing.«

»I choose wood where it is exposed to our human senses.«

Kengo Kuma

Personalities that trä has met

»The world really has to achieve something major this year.«

»If you have an idea, it’s important to be involved with all the details«

»It’s important to be involved in regular housing development.«

“We must use every type of resource in the most effective way possible.”

»Doesn’t it feel like we’re in a wood revolution?«

»Important to encourage an interest in architecture.«

»We have to play our part in creating great architecture«

»BIM is going to break through with today’s young people. They are our future.«

“I’m always working on the best mix of materials”

There’s far too little capacity in the market when it comes to CLT

A new way to save energy

Structure and form or form and structure? That is the question

“We’re constantly striving to come up with new engineering ideas”

“Wood was more exciting than working with concrete.”

»In order to design wooden buildings, you have to be interested in trees.«

»We’re constantly looking for the best combination of form and structure«

»Tall buildings can be built faster and more economically«

We want to help build a cleaner & more attractive city

»We want to reconnect with the material’s history«

»Sweden could become a leading wood nation«

»Knowledge is turning more people onto wood«

»Within three years, we’ll be constructing 16-storey buildings in wood«

“Work more closely with the forest industry”

»The material is the machine!«

“We’re going to see more examples of attractive facades”

»Show respect for and challenge the setting.«

»Wood is a democratic material.«

»Good architecture ensures better care for older people.«

»We architects have to learn to embrace toxin-free & eco-friendly designs.«

»Architectural, eco-friendly and good value housing.«

English heading

»We want to reconnect with the material’s history«

»Sweden could become a leading wood nation«

»Within three years, we’ll be constructing 16-storey buildings in wood«