Tracing Five Decades of Thought and Form: "Tadao Ando. Sketches, Drawings, and Architecture"

"Taschen's new book, published in October 2025, Tadao Ando. Sketches, Drawings, and Architecturepresents an in-depth exploration of the Japanese architect Tadao Ando's creative process, bringing together over 750 sketches, drawings, models, and technical plans developed over nearly five decades. Created in close collaboration with Ando himself, the book provides a rare view into how his ideas take shape, from the immediacy of the first pencil lines to the precision of architectural drawings that define his built works."

"Born in Osaka in 1941, Ando is largely self-taught, developing his understanding of architecture through independent study and extensive travel. Over the course of his career, he has been recognized with the Pritzker Architecture Prize in 1995, the RIBA Royal Gold Medal in 1997, and the AIA Gold Medal in 2002. Known for his refined use of concrete, geometry, and light, Tadao Ando has established one of the most recognizable voices in contemporary architecture."

"Since founding his practice in Osaka in 1969, he has developed an approach that merges structural clarity with spatial emotion, often framing architecture as an experience of contemplation. His work includes landmark projects such as the Row House in Sumiyoshi, the He Art Museum in Guangdong, China, Rokko Housing, Church of the Light, and the Bourse de Commerce in Paris, each an expression of the architect's search for balance between simplicity and intensity."

Over 750 sketches, drawings, models, and technical plans developed over nearly five decades reveal Ando's design trajectory from immediate pencil lines to precise architectural drawings. Born in Osaka in 1941 and largely self-taught, Ando developed his understanding of architecture through independent study and extensive travel. His recognition includes the Pritzker Prize (1995), the RIBA Royal Gold Medal (1997), and the AIA Gold Medal (2002). A refined use of concrete, geometry, and light defines a recognizable contemporary voice that merges structural clarity with spatial emotion and frames architecture as a contemplative experience. Landmark projects such as Row House in Sumiyoshi, He Art Museum, Rokko Housing, Church of the Light, and Bourse de Commerce exemplify the search for balance between simplicity and intensity. Drawing remains central to his iterative method and continued exploration of proportion, light, and memory in the built environment.

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