Kuma’s gentle but commanding commentary, accompanied by hundreds of photos and diagrams, focuses on how architectural details reveal his identity across a journey of discovery. This evolution is told in six chapters—Fabric, Mineral, Green, Thatching, Bamboo, and Wood—and covers 38 projects from around the world. Each project has been carefully curated to tell specific developments in this coming-of-age story.

As he explains the details of each project readers will see more of Kengo Kuma’s creative essence throughout his process. Concepts such as creating softness with hard materials, the relationship between openness and anti-volume, and how to use geometry to mitigate the natural contours of a building site offer clarity on his perspective as an architect.

What unfolds is an architectural vision of craft developed through the exploration of historical processes and expectations, craftsmanship, and artistic skill.