Kengo Kuma, who is among the definers of Japanese architecture in the 21st century, was one of three Japanese architects who described their work at the conference. He spoke about the opposing forces of Americanized architecture and Eastern thinking, taking the stand that the city of the future can only be imagined if people re-examine their ties to nature.
Hiroshi Hara spoke afterward. His talk focused on change and demonstrated how changing light and shadow can reduce the size of a train station, an office tower or a sports stadium.
The third architect to speak was Riken Yamamoto, whose transparent, mult-layered buildings require the strongest of structures.
Both Yamamoto as well as Hara made a shared point: that the architect, though protecting tradition, always expresses the moment at hand. The architect cements the city and the spirit of the times, serving both a layer of history and the present.
The three architects praised Budapest's architecture for its exciting mix of East and West, and all agreed, the city is no place for skyscrapers.
Author: Eszter Götz
