Paper Clouds: Materiality in Empty Space by the KUMA LAB
Named “the best pavilion” and “an ethereal delight” by Forbes, “Paper Clouds” is a Japanese poem to The Nelson Stair in Somerset House (designed by Sir William Chambers) and to the surface textures, translucency, lightness, and inner strength of Washi paper.
Designed by SEKISUI HOUSE - KUMA LAB, The University of Tokyo, and curated by Clare Farrow, founder of Clare Farrow Studio, the project is an experiment in design materiality, music and fashion with violinist and composer Midori Komachi, and a meeting of Tokyo and London.
The project has successfully tested the possibilities of Washi paper as a future structural material in architecture and fashion, and is an important step in ongoing research at the laboratory, founded by architect Kengo Kuma.
Featuring 70 Washi clouds suspended on golden kimono thread and the first costume design by the KUMA LAB, inspired by traditional Japanese armour, the photos and sketches shown here are by project leader Toshiki Hirano, unless otherwise stated. Structural engineering by Yoshihiro Fukushima, The University of Tokyo. Lighting by Ed Elbourne and Sam Porter-Frakes for Arup.
The 16mm Bolex film below is by Candida Richardson, showing Midori Komachi in the prototype Washi dress and Mikimoto pearl jewellery.
Exhibited as the Japan Pavilion for London Design Biennale, 5-29 June 2025, in a music partnership with London Music Fund, and featuring live performances in response to Komachi’s recorded composition.
Sponsored by Mikimoto, and Mineral Sound (stone speakers), and supported using public funding by Arts Council England. Further support by Awagami Factory, Arup, JSPS Kakenhi Grant, POLA Art Foundation, The Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation, and The Hinrichsen Foundation. See full credits below. The exhibition also features Braille.
A small unfolding (origami style) publication, designed by Patrick Morrissey (Unlimited) and containing statements by the curator and participants, accompanies “Paper Clouds”.
Selected Press:
“Paper Clouds”, Japan Pavilion, London Design Biennale, 5-29 June 2025
Joanne Shurvell, ‘9 Highlights of The London Design Biennale 2025’, Forbes, 8 June 2025
“10 Pavilion Highlights from the London Design Biennale 2025”, ArchDaily, 27 June 2025
The Embassy of Japan, “London Design Biennale 2025 Japan Pavilion”, June 2025
“8 must-see pavilions at London Design Biennale 2025”, FLO London, 7 June 2025
Above: Candida Richardson’s experimental 16mm film, detailing the Washi paper prototype dress in “Paper Clouds”, commissioned by Clare Farrow Studio, © Candida Richardson, 2025
For a mini documentary about the making of “Paper Clouds”, an interview with Kengo Kuma by Clare Farrow and Candida Richardson, June 2025
Curator
Clare Farrow, Clare Farrow Studio
Designer
SEKISUI HOUSE - KUMA LAB
Project Leader for the KUMA LAB
Toshiki Hirano
Violinist and Composer, dressed by the KUMA LAB with jewellery by Mikimoto
Midori Komachi
Music Partner
London Music Fund (Senior Scholars)
Recording Musicians
Laonikos Psimikakis Chalkokondylis (Shakuhachi), Valerie Welbanks (Cello)
Structural Designer, The University of Tokyo
Yoshihiro Fukushima
Project Team Member, The University of Tokyo
Satoru Kazamatsuri
Costume Design and Production Assistants
Hiroka Matsumoto, The University of Tokyo
Anon Okazaki, Amane Kido and Kanaho Kidahashi, Japan Women’s University
Lighting Designers
Ed Elbourne and Sam Porter-Frakes on behalf of Arup
Installation Sound Engineer
Adam Barkley
Project Manager
Clare Farrow Studio
Installation Assistants
Vaishali Odedra and Senia Savia Gomes, Royal College of Art
Bouchaib Hilali, Goldsmiths graduate
Sponsors
Mikimoto
Mineral Sound (Sound Sponsor and new Stone Speakers)
Supporters
Supported using public funding by Arts Council England
Arup (Lighting), Awagami Factory (Technical Support), JSPS Kakenhi Grant, POLA Art Foundation, The Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation, The Hinrichsen Foundation