The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth exemplifies the work of Japanese architect Tadao Ando through its simple geometry, incorporation of the natural environment, and very minimal material selections. Five long, flat-roofed pavilions appear to float atop the 1.5-acre reflecting pond, which is reminiscent of other Ando projects.
© Liao Yusheng
Constructed with only concrete, steel, aluminum, glass, and granite, the museum is perfectly reflected in the surrounding pond. Beautiful trees and hills enclose the museum, which is typical of Ando’s architecture. Through its pure design, the museum has a striking presence as a modern work of art.
© Liao Yusheng
The environment becomes as beautiful as the artwork that the museum displays, as it is heavily intertwined with the display spaces through large windows. The glass and water are very complimentary, as the still pond reflects the spaces just as glass reflects the water. “By using glass as a wall, physically there is a barrier, protection from the outside, but visually there is no boundary between outside and inside. There is also the light that comes off the water through the glass that indicates a lack of boundary and can make its presence felt on the wall.”
© Liao Yusheng
The use of concrete indicates Ando’s passion for planes and sharp, clean edges that the material allows. The massive planar walls help tell of the building’s basic structure. Contrasted with the natural environment that typica...