“Between Nature and Architecture” Kenneth L. Warriner Memorial Lecture Wednesday, February 11, 5:00 p.m. est EMPAC Theater Rensselaer Architecture continues its spring 2026 lecture series this Wednesday, February 11th at 5p.m. est with the lecture “Between Nature and Architecture” by Sou Fujimoto. Sou Fujimoto established his architectural practice in 2000. His work quickly gained recognition for its unique approach, blending nature, architecture, and human interaction in a harmonious and sometimes provocative manner. His designs often explore the relationship between inside and outside spaces, as well as the boundaries between nature and built environments. Fujimoto designed the Grand Ring for Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan. The ring is 61,035 meters, making it the largest wooden structure in the world, and serves as the expo’s primary circulation route. The ring also provides space for visitors to take refuge from sun, rain, and wind. The structure has a circumference of roughly two kilometers, and a diameter of 700 meters. Its form is intended to symbolize unity between all countries participating at the Expo. The ring has a modular wood structure that can be dismantled, and combines modern construction techniques with more traditional ones. The project uses Nuki joints – a Japanese connection method in which a horizontal beam is slotted through a vertical post. Nuki joints are often seen in traditional Japanese temples and shrines. Fujimoto designed the House of Music in Budapest, which opened in 2022. The 9,000 square meter museum is dedicated to telling the history of music over the prior 2,000 years. The museum building is wrapped in a glass wall and topped by a large, overhanging roof, mimicking the feeling of being under a tree canopy. The roof of the building is punctuated by 100 opening, some containing trees, that allow natural light to filter into the building. On the underside of the roof, 30,000 geometric shapes in the form of abstracted leaves are set into the ceiling. The ground floor of the museum is largely open, with the glass walls allowing for visual permeability and a feeling of looking through trees. In 2013 Fujimoto designed the Serpentine Pavilion in London. The pavilion, a delicate lattice of white steel, is a prime example of his philosophy of creating spaces that evoke both natural and artificial environments simultaneously. The structure blurs the lines between architecture and nature, creating a transparent, cloud-like space that invites visitors to explore its ambiguous boundaries. Other notable projects include House N in Oita, Japan, a residential project that features a series of nested boxes with varying degrees of openness, and the Musashino Art University Museum & Library, which is characterized by its labyrinthine interior and extensive use of bookshelves as structural elements. Sou Fujimoto is a frequent lecturer and has taught at various institutions both in Japan and abroad. His work has been exhibited internationally and he has received numerous awards, including the Japan Institute of Architects Grand Prix and the Wallpaper Design Award. He studied architecture at the University of Tokyo, graduating in 1994. https://www.sou-fujimoto.net/