Straight lines and their original charm

I have always liked the classic style with its slightly curved lines. It seemed to me that it was the only way, slightly rounded, that the wood could emphasize its beauty and warmth. I must admit that the Japanese architectural firm Kengo Kuma & Associates made me recognize that you can also find them in the straight lines of wooden planks or beams. The Japanese company has projects all over the world, and in many of them they use wood to achieve special effects inside buildings or on their facades. To convince you I'll show you two of their works.

Starbucks cafe in Tokyo

Starbucks coffee shop in Tokyo is open on a street leading to Dazaifu Tenmagu, a shrine dedicated to a Japanese deity. The company contacted the architectural firm and asked them to combine the specifics of the famous café with the local one in an original and respectful way for the place considered holy by the Japanese.

Kengo Kuma & Associates have succeeded in giving a very original look to the café with straight pieces of wood connected together. The whole arrangement forms a 3D image with the straight lines of wood. It starts at the back of the café, spreads on the walls and ceiling, covering the entire space. In this way, the café remains a modern yet traditional place.

Cafe Kureon Restaurant in Toyama

Cafe Kureon Restaurant in Toyama is located practically on a meadow. In this case, straight lines are used to create an illusion. On the front of the restaurant, straight wooden beams are aligned parallel to the ground. The wood does not touch the ground, giving the illusion of floating.

The restaurant itself is made of glass, the wood having only an artistic and decorative role. It covers the outside of the glass construction like Lego pieces perpendicular to each other, giving the restaurant a grid-like appearance.

The two designs reflect much of the traditional Japanese style. The straight wood, the unbound joints, the simple, straight and minimalist structures are characteristic of this style. That doesn't mean they lack warmth, beauty and elegance. Again, wood shows why I appreciate it so much. Whatever the style, whatever the shape, whatever the look, whatever the finish, it always gets its message across.