Nurturing and tending buildings the Tadao Ando way

Tokyo

TADAO Ando, who treats architecture as a living thing that must be continually nurtured and tended, has expressed concern about the situation in contemporary Japan, where efficiency is often valued above all else.

"A building must not be at the peak of its beauty the moment after it is built," Mr Ando explained. "Works of architecture must be continually nurtured and tended. If a building is treated this way, those who use it will develop an attachment to it."

The globally renowned architect also discussed his emotional attachment to his creations, explaining why he maintains relationships with the people and areas where his works are built, even after their completion.

A monograph titled Tadao Ando 4: New Endeavors was recently published by Toto Publishing. In addition to the art museums and houses he has designed in recent years, the book also covers the forestry and urban greening projects he has been involved with over the years. "I see architecture as the job of creating public space,…