Tadao Ando

Architect

Birthday September 13, 1941

Birth Sign Virgo

Birthplace Japan

Age 83 years old

#195,253 Most Popular

About

Self-taught architect whose buildings included the Church of Light in Japan and the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. Architectural historian Francesco Dal Co described his work as critical regionalism.

Before Fame

He was employed as a truck driver and boxer before pursuing architecture. He gained his education through travel, visiting the buildings designed by Le Corbusier, Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe, and others. He opened his design studio, Tadao Ando Architect and Associates, in Osaka in 1968.

Trivia

He was heavily influenced by Japanese culture, emphasizing simplicity and open space.

Family Life

He was raised by his grandmother while his twin brother was raised by his parents.

Associated With

He was inspired to pursue architecture after seeing the work of Frank Lloyd Wright on the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo.