Tadao Ando Quotes

A collection of quotes by Tadao Ando.

Tadao Ando is a renowned Japanese architect, known for his minimalist and contemplative designs that harmonize nature and the built environment. Born on September 13, 1941, in Osaka, Japan, Ando initially worked as a boxer and a truck driver before embarking on his career in architecture. Despite having no formal education in the field, he is largely self-taught, drawing inspiration from travels, his experiences in different cultures, and the works of prominent architects like Le Corbusier and Louis Kahn.

Ando's architectural style is characterized by the use of concrete, geometric shapes, and natural light to create serene and meditative spaces. His designs often incorporate elements that connect people to their surroundings, such as courtyards, gardens, and water features. Notable examples of his work include the Church of the Light in Osaka, the Pulitzer Arts Foundation in St. Louis, and the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth.

Throughout his career, Ando has received numerous awards and accolades for his contributions to architecture, including the Pritzker Architecture Prize in 1995, which is considered the highest honor in the field. He continues to create innovative and impactful designs around the world, shaping the urban landscape with his unique vision and commitment to creating spaces that inspire contemplation and introspection.

I would like my architecture to inspire people to use their

I would like my architecture to inspire people to use their own resources, to move into the future.

Architecture

Italy is full of historical buildings. And Europe holds a gr

Italy is full of historical buildings. And Europe holds a great history of philosophy from Greece until today. I read all those books and see these buildings, and I think of where I stand when I design my architecture.

Architecture

If you give people nothingness, they can ponder what can be

If you give people nothingness, they can ponder what can be achieved from that nothingness.

Architecture

I believe that the way people live can be directed a little

I believe that the way people live can be directed a little by architecture.

Architecture

I think of the past and the future as well as the present to

I think of the past and the future as well as the present to determine where I am, and I move on while thinking of these things.

Future

My hand is the extension of the thinking process - the creat

My hand is the extension of the thinking process - the creative process.

Art

When I design buildings, I think of the overall composition,

When I design buildings, I think of the overall composition, much as the parts of a body would fit together. On top of that, I think about how people will approach the building and experience that space.

Design

You can't really say what is beautiful about a place, but th

You can't really say what is beautiful about a place, but the image of the place will remain vividly with you.

Beauty

If I can create some space that people haven't experienced b

If I can create some space that people haven't experienced before and if it stays with them or gives them a dream for the future, that's the kind of structure I seek to create.

Future

But now, more and more, its society is concerned with econom

But now, more and more, its society is concerned with economy and finance.

Finance

The speed of change makes you wonder what will become of arc

The speed of change makes you wonder what will become of architecture.

Architecture

People tend not to use this word beauty because it's not int

People tend not to use this word beauty because it's not intellectual - but there has to be an overlap between beauty and intellect.

Beauty

I hope that America as a whole, and especially its architect

I hope that America as a whole, and especially its architects, will become more seriously involved in producing a new architectural culture that would bring the nation to the apex - where it has stood before - and lead the world.

Hope

The computer offers another kind of creativity. You cannot i

The computer offers another kind of creativity. You cannot ignore the creativity that computer technology can bring. But you need to be able to move between those two different worlds.

Technology

When you put your hand to the plow, you can't put it down un

When you put your hand to the plow, you can't put it down until you get to the end of the row.

Smile

At the same time, I would add that the American people have

At the same time, I would add that the American people have a lot of courage.

Courage

The level of detail and craft is something that's inscribed

The level of detail and craft is something that's inscribed within the original design concept. And so when I begin to draw, I know what kind of detailing I want the building to have.

Design

I hope America can also be the cultural leader of the world,

I hope America can also be the cultural leader of the world, and use this frontier spirit to lead and show others that we need courage to go places where we have not gone before.

Courage

Japanese traditional architecture is created based on these

Japanese traditional architecture is created based on these conditions. This is the reason you have a very high degree of connection between the outside and inside in architecture.

Architecture

When you look at Japanese traditional architecture, you have

When you look at Japanese traditional architecture, you have to look at Japanese culture and its relationship with nature. You can actually live in a harmonious, close contact with nature - this very unique to Japan.

Architecture