all images © Noboru Aoki (SHINCHO-SHA)

Kengo Kuma and Associates designed new transparent monument called ''Mushizuka'', is a transparent mound for the repose of insects, which sits in the precinct of Kamakura’s Kencho-ji Temple. It is an attempt to reverse the idea that “monuments should be solid”, usually tending to be built of stone or bronze. The idea came from the anatomist Dr. Takeshi Yoro, who is also an insect collector.

The studio made boxes with stainless steel wire mesh that give an impression of insect cages. 40 boxes in total stack up in spiral to express the insects gliding high in the sky. The mesh is clay-sprayed by Shohei Hasado, which contains glass fiber and local earth. While retaining clearness of the structure, we managed to create unique materiality that feels soft and warm.

detail of mesh ''Mushizuka''

areal view of ''Mushizuka'' shows how the structure sits on the space

top view of ''Mushizuka''

Project Facts

Location: Kanagawa, Japan
Date: June 2015
Service: Monument
Size: 57m2

> via Kengo Kuma and Associates