kengo kuma's poetic timber pavilion unveiled at paris' tuileries gardens

kengo kuma’s poetic timber pavilion unveiled at paris’ tuileries gardens
image © antoine baralhe / courtesy of galerie philippe gravier

rising at a height of 12 meters, japanese architect kengo kuma‘s anticipated timber pavilion ‘yure’ has been unveiled in the tuileries gardens during FIAC — an artistic program which sees the creation of both gallery-based and public creative projects.

known for bringing architects into the world of art, the pavilion is commissioned by philippe gravier for the ‘small nomad house’ project which sees an ongoing collaboration between the gallery and recognized architects which began two years ago.

philippe gravier’s ‘small nomad houses project’ was created with the ambition to bring art and architecture together
image © antoine baralhe / courtesy of galerie philippe gravier

given a brief free from urban constraints, along with an artistic focus on sustainability, the nomadic structure represents the architect’s creative identity. kuma’s poetic response features a criss-crossing pattern of timber pieces which have been carefully assembled, stacked and twisted using traditional japanese techniques. ‘yure, is a japanese expression for a nomadic shelter slowly moving in the wind. it undulates like trees that gently swing slowly their branches and leaves‘ the architect comments, visitors are invited to go within the two-level structure and most of all, enjoy the ‘organic geometry by a geometric composition of elements of wood’.

the immersive, sculptural piece will be on display until the 1st of november, read designboom’s previous article on the ‘yure’ pavilion here.

kuma’s nomadic structure is removable and durable, inscribed both in the artistic and environmental landscape
image © antoine baralhe / courtesy of galerie philippe gravier

initial render of the 12m high pavilion
image © kengo kuma and associates

initial drawing of ‘yure’ which translates from japanese to ‘moving with the wind’
image © kengo kuma and associates

the structure is on display at the tuileries gardens in paris
image © kengo kuma and associates