PORTLAND — The Portland Japanese Garden wants to expand with a public teahouse, more room for classes, a new gift shop and improved ways of experiencing Japanese culture.

Garden officials have asked world-renowned Japanese architect Kengo Kuma to lead the project.

Kuma and the garden’s staff will soon work together to finalize the design. They’ll work within the goals outlined in a 2007 master site plan. The plan leaves the existing gardens alone.

Japanese Garden spokeswoman Melissa Wilmot told the Oregonian newspaper that the expansion plan includes some new garden spaces, but the focus will be on enhancing cultural experience.