Church of light

Location: Ibaraki, Osaka

Architect: Tadao Ando
Term of design: 1989
Site area: 838 sq. Meter
Building area: 113 sq. Meter

Concept
Use light in a way
that would strengthen
the power of religion

The Chapel consist of a rectangular volume of 3 cubes that are

punctured by a wall at a 15 degree angle that never actually
touches the other walls or ceiling of the chapel.

Size of is 113.3 sq. meters .

The intersecting walls create
an entry forecourt, forcing the
visitor to take an S turn to
enter.
Made of in-situ poured in
place of concrete.

The church of the light consists of

3, 5.9m concrete cubes (5.9m wide
x 17.7m long x5.9m high)
penetrated by wall angled at 15
degree, dividing the cube into the
chapel and the
entrance area.
The gap in the concrete wall of
the cross is 20 cm.
Walls are thick, solid, massive and
permanent.
The main reinforced concrete shell
of the church of the light is 15
inches thick.
Circulation into the space is
controlled by the angled wall.

Serve as a support space

consisting of a gathering area,
kitchen, office and storage.
The wall plays a very submissive
role in the Sunday school as
opposed to its counterpart.
From the street it seems to be a
reflection of the adjacent chapel
Wall.
On the other side of the wall in
the angled corner is a small
courtyard space with a circular
concrete bench intended for small
gatherings.

South east wall :

The exposed concrete wall has a

slit opening (with fixed float glass)
in the shape of a cross placed just
behind the altar

East Wall:

This is a plain exposed

concrete wall with no opening
towards the exterior.

North Wall:

The exposed concrete wall is cut

through by the splay-wall on the
west side. The two walls
intersect in a manner that they
do not appear to touch one
another, making two small slit
openings for light that run
through the full height of the
north wall and help in guiding the
visitor to make the entry into the
chapel

North wall with the full height slit opening.

West Wall:

The west side of the chapel is

made up of two intersecting
exposed concrete walls. The
splay-wall on the west side cuts
through the rectangular space in a
way that an L shaped entrance
sequence is formed on the
northwest side of the chapel. The
openings on the west side include
a full height glazed opening of a
considerable size that is cut
through the splay-wall. The splaywall does not touch the ceiling of
the chapel thus making a small
opening for light on the top as it
breaks through the west wall. The
main entry to the chapel is
through a large rectangular
opening on the north side of the
splay wall.

Reinforced concrete and wood are

the main elements of construction
in the chapel.
While the space is primarily
defined by the concrete volume,
wood is used for all the elements
such as the tables, pews and floor.
Sunday school , second story
allows for a kitchen and balcony
above and office and storage
space below.

The dark brown wooden floor.

the floor has a gradual slope

down towards the altar on the
south side. The level change
is in terms of small steps in
the central aisle