IASS - International Association for Shell and Spatial Structures - Actors & Projects

international association for shell and spatial structures

THE IASS
Actors & Projects - Kawaguchi

Mamoru KAWAGUCHI

(1932-2019)
President 1990-1991 and 2000-2006
Torroja Medalist 2001
Honorary Membership 2007

Graduated from Fukui University in 1955, he worked in the office of Professor Yoshikatsu Tsuboi, and he contributed to the suspended roof designed by Kenzo Tange for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. Later, he designed a number of innovative and daring membrane structures in Japan, including air-supported structures for Expo’70 held in Osaka. In 1972 he became a Professor of Hosei University. Most recently he developed the Pantadome System with eight major realizations. His design work has extended to a number of special spatial structures: pneumatic and membrane structures, timber structures, seismic isolation systems, bridges, towers, monuments and others like the Flying Carp “Jumbo Koinobori.” All these projects were described in the exhibition “Mamoru Kawaguchi – Structural Engineer: Innovation and Tradition in Structural Design” (Valencia 2009).

Member of the International Association for Shell and Spatial Structures since 1980, President from 1990-1991 and 2000-2006, he received the Torroja medal in 2001, and was awarded Honorary Membership in 2007. He is the recipient numerous other awards from prestigious associations and universities.