Kengo Kuma

Here are the best (and worst) designs of the Tokyo Olympics

For the most part, it’s been a superbly designed Olympics.

‘Softer, more feminine, design’ is the future, says legendary architect Kengo Kuma

Kuma, whose work is explored in a new book from Taschen, details his humanistic approach to architecture in an exclusive interview with Fast Company.

See the hidden marvels inside Japan’s ancient wooden shrines

Japanese carpenters have been building elaborate shrines by hand for more than a millennium. A new exhibit shows the extraordinary tools and joints behind these extraordinary buildings.

Japan’s quest to create beautiful places to pee

Japan wants to let residents off their “urinary leash.”

This Harvard alum turns cheap, recycled rubber into luxury furniture

A New York designer elevates cheap recycled rubber by mixing it with with brass, marble, Italian wool, and concrete.

Starbucks’ new Roastery is an Instagram-ready spectacle

Designed by architect Kengo Kuma and featuring wild new cocktails, Starbucks’s new Tokyo location is ready for its caffeinated close-up.

What’s Missing From This Starbucks Store? The Branding

For a pop-up shop in Tokyo, Nendo created a spare library full of books on espresso. The client was Starbucks. But at first blush, you’d hardly know it.

An Ultra-Cool Japanese Starbucks Leaves The Seattle Vibe Far Behind

The store, by Kengo Kuma, is evidence that the coffee giant is becoming more aware of cultural differences.

How Japan Melds 21st-Century Tech With Ancient Handicrafts

Eye Candy: Cardboard Boxes Become Pixelated Fantasyland

The Beauty of Fiber Optic Concrete, Yes, Fiber Optic Concrete

Delicious Eye Candy: Kengo Kuma’s Ghostly Land Art

A Brief History of Inflatable Architecture