Tado Ando - Architecture At Its Rawest

Tadao Ando, is a Japanese architect who's background has nothing to do with architecture. This may have been the main reason, for shaping his raw and minimalist style. Being self -taught, all his work has a clean and simple design that evokes a sense of awe in all his buildings.

CONCEPT

He gives great importance to the play of light and shadow in all proportions. From small openings to linear to circular, he's tried it all. He's mastered the use of sunlight in his work , which emphasizes the other elements of his design. His use of concrete , gives an unfinished look yet a polished feel to his interior spaces. The core of his design is the connection and experience that the visitor feels to the function of the space like his famous Church Of light (my personal favorite), Modern Art Museum, Church On Water.....and many more.

"When I design buildings, I think of the overall composition, much as the parts of a body would fit together. On top of that, I think about how people will approach the building and experience that space."- Tadao Ando

SOURCE:http://www.arcspace.com/features/tadao-ando/sayamaike-historical-museum/

  

SOURCE: http://www.modernnow.com/tadao-ando-sketches-for-the-modern/

sketches by ando
                                       
CHURCH OF LIGHT:

This is a masterpiece by Ando that shot him to fame an an architect. He has used the essence of the christian cross, not through a physical element but through the play of light. Form and function have been balanced out beautifully in this building where neither overpowers the other. You feel an utter sense of calm, when you enter the building, which is just one huge room, high ceiling and dim. The main powerful lighting is from the cross shaped opening on the wall facing the seating.

SOURCE: http://architectsimet.com/2013/11/04/san-francisco-i-en-i-joanne-duka/

   

SOURCE: http://mela.iuav.it/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/church-of-the-light.jpg

Looking at this picture, I get the feel that the cross stands prominently with the only source of light coming form it.The space is narrow as well as high, giving it a sense of vastness, reaching for the skies. It makes me want to sit and contemplate without any distractions due to its lack of colour and simplicity.

I guess the meaning of the cross goes, during nightime, due to the lack of natural light.

SOURCE: http://www.moma.org/collection/object.php?object_id=339

                                          SOURCE: http://www.architravel.com/architravel/city/osaka/

For my current design studio project, we were asked to design an art gallery. My inspiration was Ando. Many of his interior spaces, held my attention and created an impression on me ....... 

SAYAMAIKE HISTORICAL MUSEUM,JAPAN

I loved this passage, on the side of which water from the overhead body fall along its side.

SOURCE: http://www.arcspace.com/features/tadao-ando/sayamaike-historical-museum/

SOURCE: http://archintern.tumblr.com/post/63040733824/tadao-ando-a-lesson-in-experience-design-tadao

LANGEN FOUNDATION,US :

Use of a strip light to highlight the passage to the main display across.

SOURCE: http://abduzeedo.com/architect-day-tadao-ando

CHIKATSU-ASUKA MUSEUM,JAPAN :

The narrow staircase gives a sense of mystery 

SOURCE: http://www.architravel.com/architravel/architects/tadao-ando/

A- CHAIR :

                  SOURCE: http://sv204.xserver.jp/~cd-inc/concept-design.jp/shop/D64690497.jpg

Similar to his style,the chair shows prominence in scale and simplicity.The colour is also plain and monochrome.

One of my favorite architects of all time, I feel Tadao Ando's style is the true meaning of Mies Van Der Rohe's "Less Is More" saying !