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Art & Culture

Kengo Kuma Expands the Portland Japanese Garden

The superstar architect puts an eco-friendly spin on traditional forms

By Geoffrey Montes
Summer 2017
Outdoor garden with bonsai trees displayed on wooden tables, set against a backdrop of modern buildings and tall trees.
Architect Kengo Kuma devised the Portland Japanese Garden’s recent expansion. Photo: Bruce Forster

The Pacific Northwest now boasts the first publicly commissioned work in the U.S. by superstar Japanese architect Kengo Kuma. It’s the centerpiece of the Portland Japanese Garden’s blockbuster $33.5 million expansion, known as the Cultural Village. “We tried to create a very subtle gradation from nature to architecture,” says Kuma, who used Oregonian timber, pagoda-like green roofs, and the skills of a 15th-generation stonemason. The addition includes classrooms, an exhibition space, and the Umami Cafe, all ringed by new gardens of bonsai, moss, and cascading chabana tea flowers. japanesegarden.org 

Modern building with green roofs surrounded by tall trees in a forest setting, viewed from an elevated angle.
Kengo employed green roofs as a way to harmonize traditional Japanese forms with the lush garden surroundings. Bruce Forster

Outdoor bonsai garden with various miniature trees on wooden pedestals and bench, set against a modern wooden fence.
Miniaturized trees populate the Bonsai Terrace. Bruce Forster

Modern interior with wooden staircase, contemporary design elements, and a small potted tree, creating a warm, inviting ambiance.
The bamboo-clad interior of one of Kuma’s new pavilions, which holds exhibitions and classrooms. Bruce Forster

Stone retaining walls with varying rock colors surrounded by a forest of tall pine trees in the background.
A 15th-generation Japanese stonemason was flown in to complete this castle wall. Bruce Forster

Modern glass house surrounded by tall trees and lush greenery on a sloped forested area.
The Umami Cafe from the garden path below. Tyler Quinn

Traditional Japanese tea set with green tea, teapot, sweets, and rice ball on a wooden table outdoors surrounded by plants.
Traditional Japanese cuisine at the Umami Cafe. Bruce Forster