Kengo Kuma & Associates (KKAA) is an internationally renowned architecture firm with offices in Tokyo, Paris, Beijing and Shanghai. Its founder, Kengo Kuma, is well-known for his philosophy that seeks to recover Japanese building traditions and reinterpret them to create 21st century architecture. The firm’s buildings are integrated into nature, with projects that combine natural materials, respect for the environment, and love for the landscape. 

Jordi Viñals, graduated at ETSAB (Barcelona) and Columbia GSAPP (New York), has been Chief Project Manager at Kengo Kuma for over 12 years. Research on South-Asian and Japanese Architecture with Prof Kenneth Frampton, his interests lie in the intersection between craftsmanship and technology.

Lorenzo Chelleri is a researcher at UIC Barcelona, and director of the international master's degree in City Resilience Design and Management at the university. He is president of the Urban Resilience Research Network (URNet).

About Foros

Foros, the annual conference series organised by UIC Barcelona School of Architecture, has used this year’s edition to look at reflections and analyses based on proposals from architects who are using their work to define what the new architectural paradigm will look like.

Foros has become a benchmark for the academic and professional architecture community. Through talks given by prestigious invited speakers from both Spain and abroad, the conference series aims to tackle questions related to current issues, as well as spark discussions on aspects that are vitally important for architects.

• By Kengo Kuma and Jordi Viñals, with Lorenzo Chelleri

• 17 May 2024

• 6:00 p.m.

• Aula Magna Campus Barcelona  (C. de la Immaculada, 22. 08017 Barcelona)