Kenzo Tange
1913 - 2005
Nationality
Japan
Japan
Education
University of Tokyo
University of Tokyo
Degree
Architect
Architect
Year
1938, 1959 (PH.D.)
1938, 1959 (PH.D.)
Work
StartEndBuildingLocationCountry
Number of published projects in the database: 7
Notes
A significant figure in 20th century architecture and one of Japan's most honored architects, Kenzo Tange is a prominent actor of the post-war reconstruction and modernization of Japanese architecture.
Influenced by the Swiss modernist Le Corbusier, and particularly by his design of the Palace of the Soviets, Tange began studying architecture in 1935 at the University of Tokyo and became assistant professor by 1946, starting Tange Laboratory.
In the 1950s, he joined the CIAM and continued to theorize urban planning alongside his practice. He completed his doctorate in 1959, entitled "Spatial Structure in a Large City" which reflected an urban philosophy not far from metabolist reflections whereby it was largely based on structural and functional components of infrastructure and mobility.
From 1963 to 1974, Tange served as professor of urban engineering at the University of Tokyo. He was also guest professor and lecturer in many prominent schools in the United States.
In his early practice, Tange worked for Kunio Maekawa, a key figure of modern Japanese architecture. He then worked as an urban planner, helping to rebuild Hiroshima after World War II. In 1949, his design for the Hiroshima Peace Center and Memorial Park was selected and earned him international attention. Today, Tange's legacy includes over 350 projects in 33 countries and 5 continents. His contribution to architecture in the Arab world includes the Yarmouk University in Jordan (1976), the Royal State Palace in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (1982), the Kuwait International Airport (1979), the Qatar Government Center (1981), and the University of Oran including the Hospital and Dormitory (1989). (see full list above)
Tange's influential work and teachings of modern architecture earned him the gold medals of the RIBA, The AIA and the French Academy of Architecture as well as the 1987 Pritzker Prize for architecture.
See also: Yarmouk University with Jafar Tukan
Influenced by the Swiss modernist Le Corbusier, and particularly by his design of the Palace of the Soviets, Tange began studying architecture in 1935 at the University of Tokyo and became assistant professor by 1946, starting Tange Laboratory.
In the 1950s, he joined the CIAM and continued to theorize urban planning alongside his practice. He completed his doctorate in 1959, entitled "Spatial Structure in a Large City" which reflected an urban philosophy not far from metabolist reflections whereby it was largely based on structural and functional components of infrastructure and mobility.
From 1963 to 1974, Tange served as professor of urban engineering at the University of Tokyo. He was also guest professor and lecturer in many prominent schools in the United States.
In his early practice, Tange worked for Kunio Maekawa, a key figure of modern Japanese architecture. He then worked as an urban planner, helping to rebuild Hiroshima after World War II. In 1949, his design for the Hiroshima Peace Center and Memorial Park was selected and earned him international attention. Today, Tange's legacy includes over 350 projects in 33 countries and 5 continents. His contribution to architecture in the Arab world includes the Yarmouk University in Jordan (1976), the Royal State Palace in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (1982), the Kuwait International Airport (1979), the Qatar Government Center (1981), and the University of Oran including the Hospital and Dormitory (1989). (see full list above)
Tange's influential work and teachings of modern architecture earned him the gold medals of the RIBA, The AIA and the French Academy of Architecture as well as the 1987 Pritzker Prize for architecture.
See also: Yarmouk University with Jafar Tukan
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