Modernism : Tadao Ando and Louis Kahn

Modernism : Tadao Ando and Louis Kahn


Modernist architecture is architecture built based on the thought that everyone is equally equal. It emphasis the function of the architecture and has little to none ornamentation, trying not to refer to any classical period or symbolism and also consists of factory-made parts and used man-made materials such as metal and concrete. On the other hand post-modernist architecture are built base on the thought that everyone is equally different. There might be a used of classical elements and symbolic parts in post modernism so that each people has different perception about the architecture.

Church of the light is located in Ibaraki. The structure of this Church of the Light is the simple reinforced concrete which can be traced back to Modernist architect, Louis Kahn and his work, Salk Institute, California, United States completed in 1965. The simple material was left unpainted and undecorated which is a Modernist style because it shows the truth and the structure of the architecture. It also emphasis on the use of light in the architecture and Kahn architecture is about ‘Silent and Light’. With the Salk institute, Kahn used water as a mean of guiding the light to travel where he wants it to he want to seperate the spaec symmetrically. When daylight shine onto the surface of water, it reflects off resulting in in a line of light going through the middle of the institute. Ando takes on this is he uses the wall as a mean of guiding and manipulating light instead of water, where the opening in the walls allow light to enter the space, however, the opening that he created for this architecture is a cross shaped where light could leak inside in the form of a cross. Although the cross is created with the form of the structure and natural element, light, and not ornamental or decorative pieces, it is still symbolic. It is a symbol of Christian cross on purpose and so it is different Kahn’s use of light and it is different from the way modernist architects work and think.

With the use of materials and light in the Church of the Light and the way Tadao Ando designed the space, it can be see how his architecture is related to Louis Kahn.