Samurai Architect: Tadao Ando

Tadao Ando has captivated people around the globe with his elegant concrete designs that reflect the Zen principle of simplicity. The recipient of the Pritzker Architecture Prize, the profession’s highest honour, he is among the world’s preeminent architects. In sharp contrast to his refined minimalist creations, the self-taught 73 year-old former boxer has an aggressive personality, a sharp tongue and a unique sense of humour. These seemingly contradictory traits add to his appeal, and when combined with his disciplined work ethic and keen aesthetic sense, they help to explain why he has been called the ​“samurai architect.” This film follows Ando over a one-year period, shedding light on his creative process, on the skill and ingenuity required to transform drawings into buildings.