Tadao Ando’s Church Trilogy: the Church on the Water

Located on Hokkaido Island, the Church on the Water is part of Hoshino Resorts Tomamu. Similar to Ando’s Church of the Light, this church does not have a traditional front wall adorned with religious symbols. Instead, it features a massive glass wall that opens up to a living landscape, which changes with the seasons. This concept, known as "shakkei" (借景) or "borrowed scenery," integrates nature as part of the interior space. Beyond the glass, a seemingly floating steel cross hovers over the water, creating a profound sense of divine presence and adding a mystical touch to the atmosphere.

The church’s architectural composition consists of two intersecting cubes. The larger cube houses the chapel itself, oriented toward the pond, while the smaller cube serves as the entrance. Visitors enter by descending a semi-circular spiral staircase, designed to create a gradual transition into the sacred space. For Tadao Ando, the journey to the church is an essential part of the spiritual experience. Before reaching the chapel, visitors must walk along an L-shaped wall that obscures the view of the main cross, building anticipation and setting the mood for a sacred encounter.

This location is particularly popular for Western-style wedding ceremonies, during which the glass wall can be fully opened, allowing the couple to be surrounded by the natural beauty of the water and sky.

Church of the Light
Church of the Wind