Precedent Studies

Precedent Studies

By: Adulsak "Otto" Chanyakorn

Nature connection in Row House in Sumiyoshi (Azuma House) | Osaka | by Tadao Ando

This case study is related to a thesis study, which interprets the connection of humans and nature by using architecture as a connecting medium. The project, by Tadao Ando, is located in the central part of Osaka and the house is surrounded by wooden houses that survived World War II.  The site location is in a narrow plot, 3.6 meters wide and 13.4 meters long. Ando’s goal for this house is not to re-create the relationship between occupants and nature in traditional way. In contrast, he reinterpreted the connection of humans and nature in an abstract meaning. The design aimed to protect the users from the toughness of the climate. At the same time, the house allowed the residents to make connection to elements of natural phenomena and establish their consciousness with nature. The house is a two-storied house divided into three parts: front, middle and back portion. Ando stated that the middle portion (courtyard) is the heart of this house, and it is a center of everyday life. The courtyard links the front and back parts together. Since this area is open and connects two masses, it allows residences to be in contact with nature, be aware of their consciousness and experience the changing seasons while they cross from one room to the other. The life inside the house is completely separate from the street. There is only one small door that connects the house to the surrounding environment. This design manner lets the residents to focus themselves with natural elements.   Even though the architect constructed the house by using simple geometric form and modern materials such as raw concrete, the philosophy behind the design principle has a profound quality of connection to nature. The architect incorporates the natural elements into architecture as the most important part of the design process. The architecture allows the light and shadow to form the tangible characteristics of the spaces.

The architect carefully contemplated what was necessary for human life. The house has sacrificed the some modern conveniences, but it recalls the position of human being, the relationship of architecture, humans, and nature, and how they all impact and relate to each other

as a whole.                  

                        An image | Retrieved from Tadao Ando: Editions, A, (1990), Page 21,22.

References:

            Nussaume, Y, (2009). Tadao Ando. Basel, Switzerland: Birkhauser.

            Editions, A, (1990). Tadao Ando. New York, NY: Martin’s Press

            Co, D, F, (2010). Tadao Ando: 1995-2010. New York, NY: Prestel.