Celebrated Japanese architect Tadao Ando has released a comprehensive new book showcasing his artistic process through hundreds of drawings and models created throughout his distinguished career. The publication, titled "Tadao Ando: Sketches, Drawings & Architecture," features a remarkable collection of 750 drawings, models, and architectural plans that chronicle the master architect's creative journey from the 1970s to the present day.
Published in collaboration with Taschen, the book takes readers on a chronological exploration of Ando's architectural evolution. The volume includes the architect's own written commentary, providing valuable context for each image and offering insights into what he describes as the unique "architectural story" behind every project. "Every work has its own context, and therefore its own process, its own story," Ando explained in a recent interview. "For this book, I focused not on the finished forms of architecture, but on the breadth of the narrative – the richness of each architectural story."
The renowned architect emphasized that this approach sets his publication apart from conventional architectural monographs. "As a result, the selection and emphasis differ from a conventional monograph, and I feel it has become a refreshing volume," he continued. For Ando, drawing serves as an essential tool for architects, and he firmly believes that the success of a building's final form depends heavily on how effectively an architect can illustrate their vision through sketches and drawings.
"We speak of creating architecture, yet in reality, we only present a vision of what we wish to build – while it is the builders on site who move their hands and give it physical form," Ando noted. "That is why everything depends on how clearly and directly an architect can share that vision and intention with others. For architects, the only language permitted to express this is drawing." The architect revealed that he often sketches habitually and unconsciously, finding drawing to be an invaluable method for capturing "the invisible depth behind architecture."
Ando described his sketching process as a manifestation of creative freedom, explaining, "I draw almost unconsciously. I have never thought very deeply about sketching, but if I were to describe its essence, it would be the manifestation of freedom in thought. On that sheet of paper, nothing binds you." He particularly values sketches that expand imagination beyond the constraints of reality, noting that even after a building is constructed, such drawings often retain a vitality that surpasses the physical structure.
Despite the architecture industry's increasing shift toward digital design tools, Ando remains committed to traditional hand-drawing techniques. "Being from Osaka, I am a practical person by nature. So when the time came to shift from analogue to digital, I accepted it naturally as something that could enhance the productivity of architectural practice," he explained. "However, when it comes to recording the creative process itself, I do not trust digital media. The only lines I can truly entrust my heart to are the analogue ones that come directly from my own body."
From his extensive collection, Ando has selected nine key drawings that exemplify his approach to architectural visualization. These include a 1982 sketch of Le Thoronet Abbey, where he attempted to capture the serene atmosphere of the monastery's cloister. "When I visited the monastery, I was deeply moved by the serenity of the cloister surrounding the courtyard," Ando recalled. "I made several attempts to capture that feeling on paper, yet I could not quite reach the image I had in mind. This drawing records that struggle."
Another significant piece is an axonometric pencil drawing of Tezukayama House (1975-1979), which represents his search for the most effective way to convey architectural essence during the 1970s and 80s. "Through trial and error, I arrived at the axonometric pencil drawing – a means of revealing the geometry and shadows of space," he explained. The collection also includes study sketches for Rokko Housing that demonstrate the chaotic flow of early design thoughts, moving fluidly between section, plan, and elevation views.
The book features detailed drawings of some of Ando's most celebrated works, including the Church of the Light and Church on the Water (both from 1980-1989). For the Church of the Light, Ando created three-dimensional diagrams overlaid on two-dimensional plans to ensure builders would understand his design intentions. The Church on the Water is represented by a lithograph that expresses the atmospheric dialogue between building and nature through water.
One particularly notable drawing is an embossed sketch created with a stylus for a project called Festival, where Ando sought to suggest "the invisible swelling of interior space through the layering of tones and lines." The drawing became so dense with graphite that it turned nearly black. Perhaps most remarkably, a sketch for Benesse House Oval (1990-1999) was drawn spontaneously on the corner of a magazine spread when Ando received the commission, demonstrating his philosophy that "when one thinks and draws, any place can become a studio."
This comprehensive publication offers unprecedented insight into the creative process of one of the world's most influential contemporary architects, revealing how Ando's hand-drawn sketches continue to capture architectural possibilities that transcend the boundaries between imagination and reality.
