Tadao Ando - Architect. Complete Works 1975–2013 (Tashen Books)

Taschen books have just released the complete works of Japanese architect Tadao Ando.

The contrasts between brutalism, function and stylized aesthetics are beautifully correlated through Tadao's structures.  Simply stunning.  As discussed regarding post-modern (soon to be replaced with post-empire design) Deconstructivism which will turn out to represent in a lot of ways the zombie cityscapes of the future, which have already arrived - more so in China.  The overall point of misplaced marveling over porous steel and glass structures (all the while climate change will effect the longevity of most building designs), is set within the complacency of economic/social idealism of exponential growth.

(Langen Foundation, Germany)

Tadao's structural designs and completed projects is how it should be, to outlast man. A good example of creating structure that represents the reality of fragile systems and reminder of uncertainly.  Is the Langen Foundation building in Neuss, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, built on an old cold war NATO missile base.  The fragile looking glass structure with the secured, reinforced concrete and steel styled bunker (with additional concrete reinforced sub level areas housing art) enveloped within.

The Ufan Museum, Japan.

(from http://madame.lefigaro.fr  all credit due)