Tadao Ando

A few months ago, I attended a short lecture by Tadao Ando at the GA gallery in Harazyuku. I have heard his lectures two or three times before and read many of his books, however in the lecture Ando told a very interesting story that I never heard before.

I had felt Ando was little bit different from other japanese architects since he never uses ambiguous or abstract words that other architects like to use and he always speaks directly to ordinary people and not to architects. But I couldn't understood the reason why he is different.

In the lecture he said,
"I decline any offers discuss with other architect in a public space. Because, I didn't go to university and learned architecture on my own. I am humble. So, if I have a opportunity to discuss with other architects in a public space, it will be a waste of time for both of us and a public humiliation for me. "



He is one of Japan's most famous architects and he his architect career has spanned over 50 years. So, I don't think he is an uneducated man and I can't understand his words and comments about himself. However, I think his complex about his educational background makes him different.

I have been to about ten buildings designed by Ando. For me, "Church of the light" is the best architectural design. The church was a very simple box without any ornaments. However, I felt rich light from cross-shaped slit in the wall that made a statement.