Tadao Ando in the Light of

Japanese aesthetics

Vinayakan Ashokan 2nd Year M arch(GEN) MEASI Academy of Architecture

Influences of Japanese Architecture

 Ando was raised in Japan where

the religion and style of life
strongly influenced his architecture
and design.
 Ando's architectural style is said to
create a “haiku" effect,
Church of Light, Osaka
emphasizing nothingness and
empty space to represent the
beauty of simplicity.
 He favors designing complex
spatial circulation while
maintaining the appearance of
simplicity.

Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, Texas

 "Good buildings by Tadao Ando
create memorable identity and
therefore publicity, which in turn
attracts the public and promotes
marketing“.
 The religious term Zen, focuses on
the concept of simplicity and
concentrates on inner feeling The Pulizer Foundation for the Arts
rather than outward appearance.
 He often uses Zen philosophies
when conceptualizing his structures
with simple reinforced concrete
walls.

Langen Foundation
 Elements of Japanese Architecture
Literal example:
Awaji Yumebutai,Japan

 Memorial Project: destruction of land

in the massive earthquake that shook
the Kobe region in 1995.
 Mixed-use complex along the Osaka
Bay area, built over the hillside which
was a huge landfill area.
 Good spatial sequence of interior and
exterior, light and shadow, running
water and still water and a framing of
views to the sky, water and
vegetation, physical materials - silky
smooth concrete, rough stone,, water
and vegetation are punctuated by more
temporal materials; light sound and
smell.
Figurative example:
Church of the Light, Osaka, Japan

 One theme he expresses is the dual

nature of existence.
 The space of the chapel is defined by
light, the strong contrast between light
and solid.
 Another feature is the interior space are
profound emptiness (Zen).
 The emptiness is maintained to a
spiritual environment for the
occupant.
 Concentrates and intensify in the
energy of the space.