Japanese architect Kengo Kuma says the V&A at Dundee is his most important project.
Visiting Dundee today to mark the first anniversary of work starting on the £80.1 million project, he said:“This project is probably my most important because the V&A museum is one of the most important museums in the world and this project has a relationship with nature that is amazing.”
He was given a tour of the site by Dundee City Council director of city development Mike Galloway.
Mr Kuma added: “I am very satisfied with the progress – you can now feel the scale and the space of it. It is a really impressive space.”
As well as the V&A, his other high-profile projects include designing Tokyo’s Olympic stadium for the 2020 games and creating a new library in Sydney.
Dundee Lord Provost Bob Duncan said the V&A will become a globally recognised icon.
“I think this will be UK’s equivalent to the Syndey Opera House and people will immediately recognise it,” he said.
Mr Galloway said creating the V&A would have been impossible 10 to 15 years ago but new construction methods mean Dundee will have a building unlike anything else in the world.
Philip Long, director of the V&A at Dundee, said: “It is hugely exciting to see it develop day by day as we start to realise Kengo Kuma’s remarkable design.”
The building is due to be completed in 2018.For full coverage of Mr Kuma’s visit, see Saturday’s Courier.