Church of the Light
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Building information
Designer: Tadao Ando
Program type: Church
Project budget: $/sq.ft.
Project location: 4-3-50 Kitakasugaoka,Ibaraki-shi, Osaka, Japan
Building analysis
Among his many works, the Church of the Light was designed by Japanese architect, Tadao Ando. Ando was hired to create a church that would be open to everyone and that would have dignity and beauty. The church had limited funds, but wanted a simple building where people could congregate and worship. At the dedication ceremony on May 14, 1989, Ando stated that the construction of the church was tough and had many problems but was proud of the outcome.[1]
The small Catholic Church is made of reinforced concrete slabs that make a building that is rectangular in form and modern in design. Created with interesting wall angles and clean lines, the church features simple forms and features with dramatic effects. Perhaps the most interesting detail of the church is the large cruciform that was created by cutting away sections of the concrete wall behind the altar. This cross wall can be seen from the street and adds to the exterior design of the church.
The play of light and shadow is a major design intent for the relatively simple church.[2] This is not only seen with the large cruciform, but with other slivered sections cut away to let light into the buildings. Also, the cool gray concrete building and the warm wooden pews in the church illustrate a contrast between cold and warm. The concrete “box” seems like an unlikely setting for a church congregation, but the stadium seating plan gives all an unblocked view of the mesmerizing view of the sunlit cross.
Ten years after the chapel was built, a church hall was added next to the chapel. The hall, named Sunday School, was also designed by Ando to create a united design. The resulting design is a success in the eyes of the church and many admirers and visitors.
Detail analysis
The detail analysis is of the exterior steps which appear to be made of concrete and some sort of reinforcement material. The stairs are interesting because they are not attached on both sides of each step. This type of step is called a hanging step or cantilevered step.[3] The steps are projecting from the wall on one side and is separated from the other wall by a few inches. These stairs give the illusion of floating stairs, which is emphasized by the openness experienced by using concrete treads only. It has no apparent support on its outter end and no support in the middle of the straight flight of stairs.
References
Notes
- ↑ http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~nv3n-krkm/speech_e.html
- ↑ http://www.galinsky.com/buildings/churchoflight/index.htm
- ↑ Ching, F.D.K. 1995. A Visual Dictionary of Architecture. New York, NY: John Eiley & Sons, Inc.
Student contributions
- Janet Lasher, Spring 2010
External links
Additional resources
