Tadao Ando Essay
Tadao Ando could be probably called one of the most noticeable figures in contemporary architecture and design. His works are well known all over the world and it goes without saying that his architectural talent is admired by huge number of people. At first I would like to reveal some personal details about this outstanding person. Tadao Ando was born in 1941 in Osaka Japan. He tried a number of different jobs before understanding that his vocation is architecture. Ando is among that people who persistently move toward their aim and nowadays we could speak about universal recognition of the architectural talent of Tadao Ando.
In 1965 he established personal firm named Tadao Ando Architects & Associates and for thirty years he persistently moved towards the universal recognition: in 1995 Ando was rewarded by Pritzker Architecture Prize: “Mr. Ando’s work possesses a degree of moral authority not seen in architecture since Kahn. The Pritzker, the international award that has often been called architecture’s Nobel, has, since it was established in 1979, gone to a wide range of architects, from theorists like Aldo Rossi to commercial practitioners like Gordon Bunshaft. With this year’s award to Mr. Ando, the Pritzker takes a strong stand in favor of commitment to the highest esthetics and craftsmanship” (The New York Times, September 21, 1995)[1]. This essay examines creative approach and core architectural goals by Tadao Ando.
It goes without saying that creative approach of Japanese Architect makes his works so attractive. All the architectural experts signify his outstanding manner of natural sense and essential feeling of the space. His creative works traditionally become a part and parcel of the landscape and local environment. Tadao Ando demonstrates sincere affection to the light, stone, wood and water, which are generally considered to be the basic elements of his architectural works. This mutual understanding between the natural elements makes the works of Tadao Ando so attractive and essential. Austere and pure lines, alongside with conceptualism in usage of the concrete environmental elements (including the sky) as the natural components of the architectural ensemble, have created absolutely new collaborative practice between the architect and the nature. Speaking about outstanding style of the Japanese architect we should make a stress on the core goal he promotes – the understanding of the natural components and essential “inscription” of his designer’s features in to the local environment.
The development of such an outstanding vision of nature and natural elements within the design concept made him one of the most influential figures in contemporary design and architectural market: “The geometry of Ando’s interior plans, typically involving rectangular systems cut through by curved or angled walls, can look at first glance rather arbitrary and abstract. What one finds in the actual buildings are spaces carefully adjusted to human occupancy” (The Hyatt Foundation, 2010)[2]. Ando’s understanding of the natural constructions makes the core understanding of his creative activity. Even we could find in his portfolio a number of private residences (for example the House of Tom Ford), he considers museums to be the most successful among his creations. The outstanding architect signifies also temples, cathedrals and libraries among the works he feels particular affection for and considers that the core goal of his success was understanding the natural beauty of the environment. The artificial creations provided by humans should make a stress on the natural beauty of the place and essentially inscribe in the environment, creating a feeling of natural coexistence.
It goes without saying that such an approach has become an essential peculiarity of the creative works by Tadao AndoReferences:1. Paul Goldberger, “’Laureate’ in a Land of Zen and Microchips”, The New York Times, April 23, 19952. Kenneth Frampton. Tadao Ando: Buildings, Projects, Writings. Rizzoli International Publications, 19843.
The Hyatt Foundation, “Tadao Ando 1995 Laureate”, Available from Official web site of the Pritzker Architectural Prize, 2010: http://www.pritzkerprize.com/laureates/1995/bio.
html Accessed May 5, 20104. Herbert Muschamp, “Among the Fountains with: Tadao Ando; Concrete Dreams In the Sun King’s Court”, The New York Times, September 21, 1995[1] Herbert Muschamp, “Among the Fountains with: Tadao Ando; Concrete Dreams In the Sun King’s Court”, The New York Times, September 21, 1995[2] The Hyatt Foundation, “Tadao Ando 1995 Laureate”, Available from Official web site of the Pritzker Architectural Prize, 2010: http://www.pritzkerprize.com/laureates/1995/bio.html Accessed May 5, 2010
