Japanese architect Kengo Kuma and his studio Kengo Kuma & Associates (KKAA) have unveiled Earth | Tree, a site-specific installation at Copenhagen Contemporary, developed in collaboration with Danish wood manufacturer Dinesen. Opened on March 28, 2026, as part of the institution's CCreate programme, the project occupies a former industrial hall, introducing a spatial intervention defined by timber, brick, and light. Led by partner Yuki Ikeguchi, with team members Asger T. Taarnberg, Nicolas Guichard, and Yasemin Shiner, the installation marks KKAA's first exhibition in Europe and situates the studio's material-oriented practice within an exhibition format.
At the center of the installation, a suspended structure composed of handcrafted Douglas fir elements defines the spatial experience. The timber system filters natural light through its permeable assembly, producing shifting atmospheres throughout the day. This effect references the Japanese concept of komorebi, describing sunlight as it passes through tree canopies and creates patterns of light and shadow. The structure embodies Kuma's ongoing exploration of architecture as a porous and responsive system, where materiality and light are treated as primary design drivers rather than secondary elements.
The project brings together contributions from several Danish manufacturers, including timber from Dinesen, bricks by Petersen Tegl, and lighting by Anker & Co. Rather than functioning as discrete elements, these materials are assembled to establish a consistent spatial language. The combination of wood, brick, and artificial light introduces a calibrated contrast between surface, structure, and illumination, while also referencing shared concerns in Japanese and Nordic construction traditions.
The installation also incorporates a social dimension through its production process. The wooden components were developed in collaboration with the Troldkær School, involving students with special needs in the fabrication of the elements. This initiative aligns with the project's broader emphasis on responsible material use and knowledge sharing, reflecting both KKAA's and Dinesen's approach to sustainable practices. The use of carefully sourced timber and strategies for material efficiency further highlights the project's focus on longevity and the full utilization of resources.
Through Earth | Tree, Kengo Kuma continues his long-standing investigation into the relationship between architecture and nature, here translated into an exhibition context. The installation emphasizes the temporal qualities of space, where shifting light conditions continuously transform the spatial atmosphere. Grounded by the earthy tones of Petersen Tegl's brick surfaces and articulated by overhead timber structures, the project forms a layered composition that can be read as an exploration of atmosphere rather than a fixed architectural object.
In related developments, La Biennale di Venezia has unveiled the renovated Central Pavilion at the Giardini, following a comprehensive intervention completed in March 2026; the updated building will host In Minor Keys, curated by Koyo Kouoh, for Biennale Arte 2026, marking its first use. In São Paulo, Eduardo Longo's Casa Bola has opened to the public for the first time as part of the ABERTO5 exhibition, on view until May 31, 2026, while Art Paris 2026 will return to the Grand Palais from April 9-12, occupying the recently restored 77,000-square-meter landmark renovated under the direction of Chatillon Architectes.
