Born in 1941 in Osaka, Japan, Tadao Ando is often cited as one of the greatest living architects. Here are 5 things you should know.
Boxing helped him develop his quiet fighting spirit and stoic perseverance that later became his strengths as an architect.
The character of the concrete, the simple geometric compositions, the presence of nature and light. These are aspects that can be seen widely in his works functioning as a blank canvas to portray the characteristics nature under the theme "eternity".
The He Art Museum
Ando is also known for expansive public facilities that extend out into the landscapes. Ando referred to his Church of the Water as “a device for becoming one with nature”. Elements of nature play a key role in Ando's projects.
Tadao Ando has designed many museums throughout the world. He even designed one underground which is located in Naoshima, Japan.
Chichu Art Museum, Naoshima, Japan
Bourse de Commerce
The ornamental 19th-century ceiling mural and Ando’s reticent concrete wall. Ando's aim was to create “a building that connects the past with the present and the future”.
Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth
The completed building with its simple rectangular volumes not only displays the traits of Ando’s architecture that skillfully combines clean geometries; it also establishes a sense of continuity with the adjacent museum by Luis Kahn.
Ando is known for many projects for the future generation. Ando's project in Osaka which started in 2004, resulted in 3,000 cherry blossom trees newly planted.
We are currently living in an extremely tumultuous and unstable era. Everyone is desperately searching for answers to the question of "Where is this world heading?"
However, it is precisely during times like these that we should focus on the essence and origin of human culture that remains unchanged amidst a changing world, or perhaps, should not change.
It requires the readiness and courage to not only read the currents of the times but also, to create our own flow and blaze new trails.
To the young people, I want to cheerfully say, "Live your present to the fullest!" and encourage you to cultivate an inner strength that will sustain a sense of urgency for the rest of your lives.
The future is what you will create.
For those who are not so young, it is not enough to just observe from a distance.
Even as you age, keep your spirit youthful, set goals, and as long as you continue to chase the light of hope, you can live in a state of "youth".
Age does not change anything.
The goal is to live a "green apple" life that continues to challenge and never fully ripens.
-Tadao Ando