Church of The Light by Tadao Ando- Simple Stunning Architecture 1o

Church of The Light, sometimes called "Church with Light" is the Ibaraki Kasugaoka Church's main chapel. Built in 1989, in the city of Ibaraki, Osaka Prefecture and design by famous Japanese architect, Tadao Ando who often uses Zen philosophies when conceptualizing his structures. A communal church located in a quiet residential neighborhood in the suburbs of Osaka, the Church of The Light consists of two rectangular volumes that are both cut at a 15 degree angles by freestanding concrete walls. One indirectly enters the church by slipping between the two volumes, the Sunday school and the worship hall.

"One theme he expresses in this work is the dual nature of existence.

The space of the chapel is defined by light, the strong contrast between light and solid...

In the chapel light enters from behind the altar from a cross cut in the concrete wall that extends vertically from floor to ceiling and horizontally from wall to wall, aligning perfectly with the joints in the concrete. At this intersection of light and solid the occupant is meant to become aware of the deep division between the spiritual and the secular within himself or herself.

One of the features of the interior is the profound emptiness.

Many who enter the church say they find it disturbing. The distinct void space and absolute quiet amounts to a sense of serenity.

For Ando the idea of 'emptiness' means something different. It is meant to transfer someone into the realm of the spiritual. The emptiness is meant to invade the occupant so there is room for the 'spiritual' to fill them."
- Wikipedia.
a+. figure-ground (photo courtesy of Liao Yusheng)
a+. wikipedia
a+. galinsky