- Completed 2015
- Location Sapporo, Japan
- Material Concrete
The Hill of the Buddha was constructed to provide a sloping hill leading up to a pre-existing Buddha statue that resided at the Makomanai Takino Cemetery in Sapporo, Japan.
A 40-metre tunnel was built leading up to a rotunda that surrounds the statue. This created a spiritual entry sequence, where visitors could build anticipation before viewing the Buddha statue, bathed in a halo of light.
Rotunda of Hill of the Buddha statue
leading patterns
The Buddha statue is surrounded by radial patterns of 150 thousand lavenders fanning outwards. This radial pattern emphasizes the head of the statue that is peeking out of the rotunda. From a distance, the radial pattern is much more distinct, and eventually leads the viewer’s eye to the statue’s head, piqueing their interest.
Radial lavender plant patterns around the Buddha head
Buddha statue bathed in light
Ando’s use of natural light is essential to this project as it is what allows the statue to glow. He stays true to his theme of bonding nature with architecture through the way he frames the sky with the tall concrete walls. The way he frames the sky allows not only for a great view of nature, but also an opening for natural daylight to illuminate the Buddha statue, accentuating its holiness.
