A crossroad between ecology, technology, and sustainability: The work of Tadao Ando

Tadao Ando Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, TX

One of the readings that challenged my perspective this week was Moshen Mostafavi's "Ecological Urbanism." He digs deep into the very foundations of human life and the cycle of organisms as much as the many useful and important (but not always sustainable) resources we use each day from fossil fuels and bitumen to the relationship between landscapes, humans, and ecosystems both physical and virtual. 

In one passage, Mostafavi quotes, "More specifically, the blurring of boundaries real and virtual as well as urban and rural, implies a greater relation and complementarity between the various parts of a given territory." This is a thorough description of all the challenges architects might face and this passage if interpreted continuously, can lead to an understanding of what we need to do when faced with design challenges that bring complex issues for us to tackle. These issues can vary from landscape manipulation to climate and ecological awareness as much as urban design and the use of thermodynamics in the shaping of building and spaces. This reminded me of the work of Tadao Ando and his strong advocacy for an architecture that is rooted to "self awareness" before anything else. Ando believes that as designers, we should thrive to explore and create balanced spaces in which nature and building share the same hierarchy, synergy, and dialogue. I have always been impressed by his work and the level of tact and humility he puts into the landscape as much as the building, the material and the organic foundations of his structures. 

With new technologies and the many facets of both visible and invisible world, the designer should always be self-aware of their touch and how much it can either ramify or neglect the order of dwelling. That of course is a challenge, and theory and thermodynamics when used to alter the ecological landscape of a region can be catalysts in changing and modifying the cycle of not just a few, but of many living things. Often times, the architect just focus on the ground and the view, or again the sound, without paying close attention to the effect of the building on the regenerative process that the natural order of things is grounded on. 

That again lead me to acknowledge that there is more we can do with technology and materials and there is more we can do to reshape or modify a site without impeding its value not just to humans but also to micro-organisms and cells even the smallest ones.

Casa Wabi Artist Retreat Mexico, Tadao Ando

Finally, this all is a reflection of the beautiful work of Ando, although I am not sure what era he could fit in, his work has a degree of humility that meditate the language between the present and the future of architecture when it meet ecology and possibly urbanism. It is neither too much nor too little. His work is timeless, and it makes us question, what does it means to use technology in general, and materials in particular, not just for the sake of creating something usable and beautiful, but something meaningful and indispensable.

Casa Wabi Artist Retreat, Nature and material 

All in all, I would say that reaching synchronicity through design is a challenge. However, useful and sustainable spaces can be created through moments and connections to both nature and life. That is critical to achieve but not impossible I believe, which again make me wonder and consider why self-awareness is necessary and much needed if we want to contemplate the possibilities beyond thermodynamics and architecture, ecology and urbanism as theoretically highlighted by Mustafavi and physically accomplished by Tadao Ando.