A bold breakthrough in structural design; a public urban planning program that transformed Kumamoto, a humble prefecture south of Japan, into a museum of contemporary architecture.

Kumamoto Artpolis (KAP) is a worldwide travelling exhibition that features 73 images and sketches of outstanding architecture, spread over two exclusive venues: the Japan Foundation Gallery and Tusculum, home of the Australian Institute of Architects.

In 1988, pioneers of the project, Morihiro Hosokawa (Kumamoto’s governor at the time, later Japan’s Prime Minister in 1993) and architect Arata Isozakai (Commissioner of KAP until 1997), took on a radical attempt to challenge the non-existent, archaic city planning system, implemented at the turn of the last century.

The results were astounding: almost 100 constructions were developed with a sensitive awareness towards functional and environmental design, in harmony with Kumamoto’s natural and historical contexts.

KAP strives to enhance Kumamoto’s culture via architecture. It envisions Kumamoto to be a global centre of beautifully designed buildings, representative of Japan’s contemporary architecture. In particular, they wanted to develop local communities so that succeeding generations may benefit from a higher quality of living, and to motivate the people (including local residents and young talented architects) to participate in all aspects of the planning process.

Toyo Ito, one of the world's most innovative and influential architects, is now KAP’s present Comissioner.