Portland’s Japanese Garden Gets a Kengo Kuma Expansion

We live in Portland, and are very proud of our Japanese garden, considered one of the best in the world. Having traveled to several Japanese cities, we can attest to it measuring up to some of the very best.  Now Portland’s Japanese Garden has gotten a major expansion, thanks to architect Kengo Kuma. In his first commission in the US, Kuma has designed a beautiful Cultural Village, as well as a new water garden and cascading ponds.

Kengo Kuma is known as one of the world’s most respected architects, most recently commissioned to create Tokyo’s 2020 Olympic Stadium, among many, many other amazing projects. For this new commission, he’s quoted:

“Given its proximity to nature, Portland is unlike any place in the world,” said Kuma in an earlier statement. “This new Cultural Village serves as a connector of the stunning Oregon landscape, Japanese arts and a subtle gradation to architecture.”

This new $33 million expansion is of course in addition to the garden’s beautiful grounds, filled with thoughtful and inspiring landscaping. The garden opened in 1963, and encompasses 12 acres on the city’s Southwest hills.  Definitely worth a visit the next time you’re in the Pacific Northwest. Via Dezeen: