A Geometric Space Where Nature and Humanity Coexist,
The Gaudi of the East, Building the World with a Single Ray of Hope
The Creative Guerrilla Architect,
World-Renowned Japanese Architect, Tadao Ando

Tadao Ando has lived a life like a novel; before becoming an architect, he worked as a truck driver and a professional boxer, and he never received any formal professional education in architecture.

In 1969, he established his firm, Tadao Ando Architects & Associates, and in 1995, he was awarded the Pritzker Architecture Prize. His architecture is noted for its striking harmony with nature.

The "water" in his buildings is shallow, quiet, and still. It is situated so close to the structures that they are perceived as one, providing a sense of comfort and reverence. Representative works where water is prominent include the "Church on the Water" and the "Water Temple."

Along with water, harmony with light is one of the most vital natural elements in his work. He uses natural light to maximize the contrast between darkness and brightness, emphasizing the spatial experience. The "Church of the Light" is his most iconic masterpiece in this regard.

As such, natural elements—water, light, wind, trees, and the sky—are intimately integrated into his buildings. Furthermore, by extensively using transparent materials like glass along with exposed concrete, he creates designs that are concise and simple yet far from cold, allowing nature to feel even closer.

Another major characteristic alongside harmony with nature is the geometric perfection of his architectural works. Having been influenced by Le Corbusier, the father of modern architecture, his works share similar aesthetic qualities.

[Career]
-Professor, Department of Architecture, University of Tokyo, Japan
-Visiting Professor, Harvard University, USA

[Books]
-Tadao Ando: My Work, My Life 
-Tadao Ando: Creating Work
-Dreaming of Architecture 
-Tadao Ando's Urban Wanderings