Japanese architect Tadao Ando. Photo: Courtesy of Beijing Contemporary Art Foundation

 An exhibition of well-known Japanese architect Tadao Ando's designs is set to kick off in Beijing in mid-October as part of its world tour. The exhibition, which will be heading to the capital from Shanghai, will showcase the master's skillful trick with light.

October 12 will mark the beginning of the three-month building design exhibition from Japan's most active and influential architecture. As the fifth stop on the exhibition's world tour after Paris, Tokyo, Milan and Shanghai, the master's works will find a temporary home at the Beijing Minsheng Art Museum. 

The exhibition will showcase 1:1 replicas of his top three most famous designs: Church on the Water designed in 1988, Church of the Light in 1989 and The Meditation Center the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization built during 1994-95.

Other activities will also be held such as online seminars, where Ando will appear to share his experiences and designs with China's architecture lovers.

Church of the Light is the most famous work among his church trilogy (Chapel of Wind, Church on the Water, Church of Light). The designed church has no traditional cross, but is decorated by a cross-shaped cut on the wall, and the light that penetrates through it presents a cross of light.

The Church of Water, one f the church trilogy desgined by Japanese architect Tadao Ando. Photo: Courtesy of Beijing Contemporary Art Foundation

The Church of Water was designed to face the river, allowing the building to embrace nature. The design has retained the sacredness and solemnity of the church, meanwhile leading light and water into the church, which fully reflects Ando's emphasis on natural elements. 

The self-taught architect was born in 1941 in Osaka. He didn't enter the field as first, instead taking on a variety of jobs in his early years such as a sportsman and a truck driver.

In order to chase after his architecture dream, Ando chose to hit the books. Although he has never received formal training at an institution, Ando made his way to become a skillful craftsman and open his own design studio, Tadao Ando Architectural & Associates.

Global Times