Category: Book

As Philip Drew writes: “Ando conceived his buildings almost as Land Art, buried places that struggle to emerge from the earth, which by their struggle dramatize the encounter between architecture and nature. “7 Although this tendency to view buildings as a form of Land Art is even more strongly expressed in projects such as the Benesse House, Ando’s Chikatsu-Asuka Historical Museum provides strong evidence of his attachment not only to the land, but also to the ancient history of Japan.

Although of course known for his masterful handling of concrete, Tadao Ando has experimented with wood in several interesting buildings that point toward a fundamental aspect of his work: his close attachment to the land and history of Japan…

When asked if he is religious, Tadao Ando replies: “I feel that the goal of most religions is similar, to make men happier and more at ease with themselves. I see no contradiction in my designing Christian churches. “Indeed, Ando has built a number of Christian chapels and other houses of worship and contemplation. In […]

experience.” – Tadao Ando
Born in Osaka in 1941, Tadao Ando is unusual in that he was self-educated as an architect, largely through travels in the United States, Europe, and Africa (1962-69). He founded Tadao Ando Architect & Associates in Osaka in 1969…