by Tadao Ando and Jean-Marie Martin

Jean-Marie Martin describes the 4 x 4 House by Japanese architect Tadao Ando, and Ando himself offers thoughts on the challenges of contemporary architecture. —Editor

Upon reviewing the techniques that Tadao Ando employed to design the 4 x 4 house, the most striking aspect in its appearance is the configuration of the four floors that form the structure.

The taut concrete surface, perforated with the anchors of the formwork, envelops the house and represents all that is associated with the way Ando builds.

The western facade is interrupted by four thin vertical windows that light up the stairway behind it (the pivot of the building) and are randomly associated with three other smaller openings.

The eastern facade has three smaller square openings, while on the ground floor one can see a vertical window like those included in the western front.

To the north is the entrance, above which is a rectangular window, while to the south there are two more windows of different sizes that correspond nicely for the second and third floors.

Crowning the whole volume is a cube dominated by glass. This top floor protrudes slightly to the east in contrast to the rest of the building.   >>>

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SUBSCRIPTION SAMPLE Southeast view of the 4x4 House in Akashi, Japan, designed by Tadao Ando. Photo: Courtesy Tadao Ando Architect & Associates and Mitsuo Matsuoka Extra Large Image SUBSCRIPTION SAMPLE Overlooking the northeast facade and the Akashi Strait. Photo: Courtesy Tadao Ando Architect & Associates and Mitsuo Matsuoka Extra Large Image   Click on thumbnail images to view full-size pictures.