Kengo Kuma is a Japanese architect. What peaked my interest in Kuma was his Horai Onsen Bath House (below). I really liked how open the bath was to the surrounding forest. I am wanting to integrate my own pocket forest into my design. I want the interior and exterior of my bathhouse to be one entity. Also, his use of simple and natural materials such as wood helps in integrating the surrounding forest into his design. I like how simple yet effective the design is.
Kuma, K. (2003). Horai Onsen Bath House. Atami-shi, Shizuoka, Japan.
https://kkaa.co.jp/works/architecture/horai-onsen-bath-house/
Another bath onsen design by Kuma that interested me was his Ginzan Onsen Hot Spring Bath House. What I liked about this design was the atmosphere it created through sensory, especially light. Kuma uses both the natural surroundings and artificial light to form the shadows and reflections that create the open, exposed and modern atmosphere. With this design I am more interested in the light quality and effect rather than the bath itself as this is a defining feature and I also want to experiment with lighting to create a calming atmosphere in my own design.
Kuma, K. (2001). Ginzan Onsen Hot Spring Bath House. Obanazawa-shi, Yamagata, Japan.
Spatial Design by Ciara 