Tadao Ando: Beyond Horizons in Architecture (1991)
Tadao Ando emphasizes through the article that the path to contemporary architecture is a development beyond the boundaries of modernism. This means replacing the mechanical and generic methods of modernist designing, The way to do this is as follows:
1. Transparent Logic: This is related to an act of thinking or brain storming that is required to develop a project. It does not merely mean the simple logic of modernist form follows function, but instead looks at the project as a whole along with its context.
2. Nature: This relates back to the poetic idea of creating architecture that brings man closer to nature thereby awakening life
3. Place: This is related to creating a landscape that is related to the character of the place.
4. Abstraction: Related to using simple geometry to link to human activities
JKC2 House in Bukit Timah, Singapore by ONG&ONG
This project comprises of three volumes positioned around a central courtyard such that they interact, whilst each wing remains distinct enough to create an independent visual entity (Fig1a). The spaces are designed to allow flexibility to spaces indoor and outdoor to adapt to a wide range of homeowners; thereby creating a contemporary dynamic architecture (Fig1b). A balance is struck between the man-made spaces and the natural ones, with the building formed from basic elemental shapes with raw-finished materials (Fig1a), such as fair-faced concrete, stone, mild steel, tropical wood and clear glass. The dialogue between the components of this palette reflects a sense of warmth and immediacy with nature (Fig1c). These ideas show how Tadao Ando's concepts for contemporary architecture has been incorporated throughout the project and results in creating spaces that awaken life in its users.
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| Fig1a: JKC2 House by ONG&ONG Shows the basic geometric shapes and raw-finished materials used thereby creating a visual identity Photo credit: https://www.archdaily.com/392400/jkc2-ong-and-ong-pte-ltd/51c481c8b3fc4b9dc7000029-jkc2-ong-and-ong-pte-ltd-photo |
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On similar lines, the biggest difference between architecture (Tadao Ando's theory) and mass production (Le Corbusier's theory) is the devotion to user experience. Instead of replicating the same building in any context, architecture analyzes the topography if the land, the built and natural environment, the use of the space and for what purpose. These ideologies are in fact seen in DeafSpace, Gallaudet University’s pioneering approach to designing for their student population.
DeafSpace is an approach to design that incorporates Deaf people’s perceptions of space and how they live in it. After performing qualitative studies, interviewing many students on their habits and preferences, principles were laid out which guided the design of new buildings and renovations. Here are a few of the design principles (Fig2):
Group Space: Classrooms are designed with open space between students where the tables and chairs are made into a U-shape, so the students can visually connect with each other.
Wider Walkways and Ramps: When people of hearing walk side by side, they can be very close together, or not even look at each other, but this is not so for deaf people. In DeafSpace, walking paths and stairs are widened to give people the needed space to visually communicate. Also, ramps are preferred to stairs to also allow for smoother movement, so more focus can be placed on visual connection.
Color and Light: To contrast skin tone, blues and greens are used to reduce eye strain. There are more mirrors to allow people to know what’s happening behind them.
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| Fig2: DeafSpace Design Guide Photo credit: http://dangermondkeane.com/deafspace-design-guide |
DeafSpace is not only an example of how thoughtful design can truly improve the lives of people, but also of the inherent goodness that exists in people. It shows that humans are social, supportive, and thoughtful creatures. Finally, this design approach shows how contemporary architecture takes Tadao Ando's theories into consideration and tries to make it more user friendly.
Further reading: http://deafspace.weebly.com/deafspace-whats-that.html
"The real world is complex and contradictary" (Ando, 1991)
"The real world is complex and contradictary" (Ando, 1991)
In conclusion, through the below images, I'd like to draw attention to Ando's ideologies in relation to the reality. It is fair to conclude that the reality is indeed complex and contradictory to these ideas and it may even vary according to cultures and regions. (Further follow-up in Manifesto)
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| Fig3a: Church of the Light, Tadao AndoAndo's approach on how light affects a space Photo credit: www.archdaily.com |
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| Fig3b: Residential building in Bur DubaiReality of light in a city Photo credit: Aashika Shibu |
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