Notable architect from Japan, Tadao Ando, is acclaimed for his Water Chapel located in Shimukappu and Church of the Light near Osaka. In the U.S., his fame predominately stems from his designs such as the Pulitzer Arts Foundation and the Modern Art Museum situated in Fort Worth. A fresh look at his illustrious work will be offered by Phaidon in their upcoming publication this month.
Ando, although conventionally linked with concrete architecture—a perspective that places him alongside the brutalist figures featured in The Brutalist, leans more towards an affluence of inner serenity and fortitude in his minimalistic approach informed by Zen and Haiku traditions. The severity often associated with brutalism doesn’t quite capture his style’s underlying tranquility.
Born in 1941, he simultaneously emerged with his nation from the devastation of World War II. His early architectural sensibilities were molded by structures located in Japan’s ancient capitals, Nara and Kyoto, including the T?dai-ji and Kinkaku-ji temples, along with Frank Lloyd Wright’s designs embodied in Tokyo’s Imperial Hotel and the Yodok? Guest House located in the Hy?go Prefecture.
As his career progressed, his architectural insights extended beyond Japan, finding inspiration in the creations of Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Louis Kahn, and Le Corbusier. Although deeply rooted in ‘kane,’ a Japanese principle emphasizing harmonious unification of diverse elements within a narrow range of classic simplicity and clean, defined lines, Ando disrupts these with concepts informed by early ties with artists of the Gutai movement.
This radical group, originating in Osaka during the 1950s, advocated a stern rejection of imitation: each artist must pursue his own unique pathway of expression and creativity. Ando has embraced this artistic ethos since launching his individual practice in 1968.
His novel aesthetic, a seamless blend of concrete, wood, water, and light, faithfully adheres to the inherent contours of the landscape. ‘Light and Space,’ the latest book charting his career, is the result of a collaborative venture with Richard Pare, a trusted photographer with a remarkable ability to capture the spirit and essence of Ando’s design philosophy.
Ando’s blueprint design and expressive utilization of space, seen through this book, offer genuine insights into his architectural ethos. The Japanese notion of ‘mu,’ or nothingness, can present a challenging concept to Western minds. However, to Ando, the potent idea that space and spirit outweigh physical materials aligns seamlessly with his philosophy.
This further extends to his ‘aesthetics of subtraction,’ where anything unnecessary is eradicated, leaving behind only what is deemed essential. This austere process, he finds, creates a compelling interplay within each space. His manipulation of smaller areas demonstrates his stance on maximizing space while maintaining a deep respect for the natural world.
Ando places harmony with nature at the forefront of his architectural ideology. He envisages all his edifices being gradually enveloped by the surrounding foliage. This belief stems from the fundamental notion that the interaction with nature is pivotal to human life.
His design philosophy insists on prioritizing the establishment of spaces that promote dialogue with nature above all else. Although some perceive a brutalist architectural style in his buildings, Ando doesn’t focus on the form.
What matters most to this architectural savant is the intention behind the structure, the materials used, and the resultant space. He is focused on creating distinctive structures through prevalent methodologies of his time.
This guiding principle lies at the heart of his philosophy, influencing the aesthetic sense observed in his architectural masterpieces. To Ando, architecture isn’t about merely erecting buildings but crafting spaces that foster a harmonic connection between nature and humans, that sit symbiotically with the landscape.
The post Japanese Master Ando’s Approach: Imitation Rejection in Architecture appeared first on Real News Now.
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