Kengo Kuma

Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, born in Yokohama in 1954, is one of the most renowned architects in the world. A graduate in architecture from the University of Tokyo, where he is currently a professor, he founded Kengo Kuma & Associates in 1990. His firm employs over 300 staff members across offices in Tokyo, Beijing, Shanghai, and Paris.

His architectural philosophy aims to reconcile Japanese tradition with 21st-century modernity, creating buildings harmoniously integrated into their cultural and natural environment. His iconic works include the design of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games stadium and the renovation of the Kabuki-za Theatre.

In Verbier, Kengo Kuma is designing an innovative wooden cultural centre inspired by the Alpine mountains and traditional chalet architecture. With its distinctive wing-like shape, this future 90-million-franc centre is expected to open in 2031, offering an 800-seat concert hall and an agora space for the local community.