1/6/06

Master of light: Tadao Ando

The architect will give a lecture in June at the City of London Festival, which, this time, has a Japanese theme. Two striking Ando projects were revealed last month: the 'Omotesando Hills' shopping and residential complex in Tokyo, as well as new plans for the Palazzo Grassi in Venice. Applying a minimalist approach, Ando is determined not to disturb the very high quality of this building: it is now to become home to the collection of the French luxury goods billionaire, François Pinot. He will not need there the pugilistic skills he acquired in his youth as a professional boxer and, indeed, those who long ago complained that Ando had had no real professional training as an architect (he is self-taught) learnt early not to confront such a multiskilled operator.