CHURCH OF LIGHT: BETWEEN MODERNITY AND TRADITION

Abstract

This article explores the intersection between modernity
and tradition in Japanese architecture through
the analysis of works by the renowned architect Tadao
Ando, with a particular focus on the Church of
the Light. Using Jun’ichirō Tanizaki’s essay “In Praise
of Shadows” as a point of contrast and comparison,
this study seeks to identify and discuss the characteristics
of traditional Japanese architecture that persist
in contemporary practices. Through a qualitative
approach, the analysis reveals how Ando integrates
concepts such as the interaction between light and
shadow, materiality, and spatial simplicity in his designs,
thus reflecting a cultural continuity adapted
to the needs and context of modern Japan. This article
contributes to a broader understanding of Ando’s
work and offers insights into how elements of traditional
Japanese aesthetics can be reinterpreted in a
modern architectural context.