Weekly Design Blog

Hey Steemians,
So I am a huge fan of great Designs, whether they be Architectural, Industrial Design, Artistic, or other. For that reason I am going to show you guys some of the best examples of Design I can find. Enjoy.

The Church of Light

By Tadao Ando Architect

This Church was built in a small town called Ibaraki, 25km outside of Osaka, Japan. It was first finished in 1989 and is widely regarded as Tadao Ando's signature work. Its minimalist design embraces Ando's philosophical views regarding Architectures place in nature. He demonstrates this in his design by carving architecture out of darkness and light. The building sits complimentary to nature and light. There is no obtrusion or obstruction. Simply light and nature creating form from the concrete building.

He used a lot of simplistic materials to reinforce this idea of architectures place behind nature. The building itself is comprised of two almost independent forms that intersect in such a way that the building seems to have been split in two. The simplicity of material is so strong that when inside most visitors can only identify two... reinforced concrete and timber seating. The seating is in fact recycled timber that was used as scaffolding during construction.

Ando is regarded as being able to master light in Architecture and his design showcased his ability to employ light in an architectural design in such a way that it becomes more powerful and strong than any artificial light or material.

“In all my works, light is an important controlling factor. I create enclosed spaces mainly by means of thick concrete walls. The primary reason is to create a place for the individual, a zone for oneself within society. When the external factors of a city's environment require the wall to be without openings, the interior must be especially full and satisfying.” –Tadao Ando

Although the Church of Light was renovated in 1999 to include a Sunday school Ando was involved in the design and carefully ensured his original chapel was not compromised.
Ando went on to continue designing several award winning projects and is today regarded as one of the most sort after architects in the world.