Tadao Ando designed the earlier Meditation Hall (opened in January 2019), as a dome-shaped structure embedded into the earth near the northern Stone Garden, creating a space of light that gently envelops the visitors. In contrast, the Space of Light, which sits on the southern end, offers a stoic and rigid space inspired by the platonic solids and highlights its distinct symmetry of light.
Almost like a void, a highly minimal space, the natural light that flows in resonates with its geometry opening up and generating the sensation of transcending to another sensitive level. Angular and round, still and dynamic, rigid and open – the contrasting yet complementary two spaces hope to achieve a new dynamic balance at Museum SAN.
Almost like a void, a highly minimal space, the natural light that flows in resonates with its geometry opening up and generating the sensation of transcending to another sensitive level. Angular and round, still and dynamic, rigid and open – the contrasting yet complementary two spaces hope to achieve a new dynamic balance at Museum SAN.
"People will be able to feel that they are directly encountering nature. With Space of Light, I wanted to create a space where nature and humans become one." Unobstructed light flooding into the building is something Ando is proud of. "Light is much more beautiful without the glass,' he says. "One day, I would like to get rid of the glass in the Church of Light."
"The Space of Light" Museum SAN by Tadao Ando. Photography courtesy of Museum SAN.
"The Space of Light" Museum SAN by Tadao Ando. Photography courtesy of Museum SAN.
The 22,000-square-meter museum was founded by the Hansol Cultural Foundation. The museum was designed by Tadao Ando and commissioned by the late Lee In-hee, who was then an advisor to the Hansol Group.
Tadao Ando. "The Space of Light" Museum SAN by Tadao Ando. Photography courtesy of Museum SAN.
“I was doubtful if the space was suitable for a museum because it was situated in the middle of the mountains, quite far from the capital city Seoul. I was skeptical about Lee's request.
Lee persuaded me that if the museum is the only one of its kind, people will visit it in the end. She was right -- now the museum is visited by 200,000 people every year.”
Lee persuaded me that if the museum is the only one of its kind, people will visit it in the end. She was right -- now the museum is visited by 200,000 people every year.”
Tadao Ando on July 15 at a lecture at Ewha Womans University.
The museum also runs a space dedicated to American artist James Turrell, known for exploring the concept of light through his works.
