2. Touching on Japanese Architectural Concepts

Beginning with Tadao Ando, I attempted to take the next step of trying to understand his techniques. Part of this step is attempting to understand why his architecture is so popular, not just in Japan, but throughout the world. Perhaps the simplest way of analysing Ando’s work is trying to understand what cues he has taken from traditional Japanese architecture. Traditional Japanese architecture is a language that has been developing for centuries, and while this description does not do it justice, it is necessary to condense these observations. Traditional architecture in Japan has deeply rooted connections with nature and the Japanese culture. According to Ando, “Japanese architecture is supported by the sense of nature, and Japanese people" (CNN Talk Asia - Tadao Ando, 2006). Essentially, its architecture is probably best described as a form of expression through the simplest of means. As with Japanese architecture, Ando chooses to employ within his architecture a strong connection with nature, through simple geometric forms.

Koshino House

Photo from Flick © Gonzalo Perez - http://www.flickr.com/photos/49942362@N03/

References:

Baek, J, The sublime and the Azuma House by Tadao Ando, arq: Architectural Research Quarterly, vol. 8, no. 2, pp. 149-157, 2004.

Bognar, B, Japanese architecture II, St. Martins Press, New York, NY, 1992.

Buntrock, D, Materials and meaning in contemporary Japanese architecture: tradition and today, Routledge, New York, NY, 2010.
Frampton, K & Ando, T, Tadao Ando: buildings, projects, writings, Rizzoli, New York, 1984.

Rao, A. Japanese Architect, Tadao Ando, CNN Talk Asia, 2006 -  viewed 21 September 2013, <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruuyudjfUdM>