Kengo Kuma’s renovation of Gaudí’s Casa Batlló: A non-western designerly approach to addressing built heritage

Abstract

This paper emerges from a wider doctoral thesis on the influence and relationships between Antoni Gaudí’s buildings and current Chinese architecture. In light of understanding the connections between Eastern and Western designerly approaches to built heritage, we studied the specific case of the renovation of Casa Batlló in Barcelona by the Japanese architect Kengo Kuma. Starting from the general framework of built heritage renovation and transformation techniques and styles, we analysed the approach of this case as a replicable mindset and toolkit for addressing urban and architectural renewal. Kengo Kuma’s dissolution of materiality is key to his design approach This methodological case study delves into the potential of a complementary vision of the world where Eastern and Western design approaches retrofit each other. The research results are related to current global urban renewal, historic building protection, and renewal needs from a global design perspective.