- Completed 1989
- Location Ibaraki, Osaka Perfecture, Japan
- Material Concrete
- Size 113 m2
The Church of Light is one of Ando's signature and most famous buildings. It was constructed to complement an existing wooden church located in a residential suburb in Osaka, Japan.
The experience of this building is handcrafted by Ando. From the moment a visitor enters the building, light and nature come into play.
Building exterior in daylight
"In all my works, light is an important controlling factor. I create enclosed spaces mainly by means of thick concrete walls. The primary reason is to create a place for the individual, a zone for oneself."
Building interior in dim lighting
shadow and light
Ando creates a juxtaposition between light and shadow by using a cross-shaped cutout in a concrete wall. The light penetrates through the cutout and illuminates the church's dark interior area.
This use of light and cutouts is one of Ando's famous signature techniques; specifically, the manipulation of light. The shaped light pierces the darkness of the church interior and makes the visitor feel enclosed, forgetting about the outside world.
Reinforced concrete used in the building
This use of reinforced concrete is common in Ando's technique. The thick concrete walls of the church allow for the visitor to feel protected and soaked in the manipulated light that enters from the exterior.
