Kengo Kuma Reconstructs Demolished Bridge in Iwakuni, Japan
Cypress railings replicate the curve of nearby mountain ranges.
Renowned Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, famous for his ability to merge architecture with nature and social responsibility, headed to the small city of Iwakuni for one of his latest projects. Iwakuni is best known for its elegant Kintaikyo Bridge, which makes five wooden arches supported by large stone pillars over the Nishiki River.
Another unrelated bridge collapsed in the area of Shuto Town in Iwakuni due to a flood in 2018, and Kuma took the opportunity to rebuild the structure — merging traditional carpentry skills with computational design technology. To ensure the bridge will not easily topple again, Kuma and his team uses reinforced concrete as a foundation and surrounds it with 105 square cypress balustrades that replicate the curvature of nearby mountain ranges. Commonly-sized components used in timber construction in the area were used to produce a delicate and unobtrusive look.
The new construction serves as a beacon of renewal for the local community with a sake brewery and stores located on both sides of the bridge. Take a closer look above.
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In other news, here’s the HYPEBEAST guide to London Design Festival 2022.
