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A hand sketch of The Modern, which highlights the reflection pool and the iconic Y-shaped support beams

Tadao Ando’s Life and Architecture - magazine article

Tadao Ando was a boxer before he became an architect, which is a little ironic considering his lively architecture based on nature and simplicity. His designs are heavily influenced by geometry and have very little to no decoration. However, he brings life to his work by utilizing natural light, the fluidity of water, and the motion of wind.

News article about The Modern

When the new museum by Tadao Ando first opened up, it sparked a new interest in the modern art museum, which had been there for over 100 years. This building is one of the largest modern art exhibits in the United States, housing over 2,500 pieces. In the 2 days after it opened, more people showed up to appreciate the museum and its art than they did in any entire month before the reopening.

Interview with Tadao Ando

Ten years after the Modern Art Museum opened in Fort Worth, Tadao Ando revisits his building. He says that while there are always things to be improved on, he’s very glad that his work is being used and enjoyed by many people. Despite the museum’s huge success, Ando mentions that it was challenging to build something so close to another iconic building (the Kimbell Art Museum), but that he hopes that The Modern will soon become one of the most important places for art in America.

1. This is called DOB’s March, which catches the eye with its strange toothy smile and multiple eyes. It’s creepy yet cute at the same time, and stands out against a stark white background, which forces the viewer to stare right back at the creature.

2. This is called PO+KU Surrealism (Blue), which stands out against the plain walls of the building, and is once again strange and toothy, but this time is chopped up and intentionally senseless to make you look in wonder trying to figure it out, no matter how unclear it is.

(from album “The Modern Art Museum Fort Worth” on imgur)

The Modern is very beautiful and powerful. I really enjoy the interplay between the light, the steel, and the glass-like appearance of the reflection pool

Henry Lloyd, museum visitor

The museum is in a dense city area, and is placed directly next to the Kimbell, another iconic art museum known for its strong architecture. It is also right on the corner of a very important road, which likely influenced its design. The Modern stands out, looks very powerful and strong, and appears twice as large due to a magnificent reflection pool, allowing it to hold its own next to such an architectural icon.

Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, gallery.

The interior of The Modern is somewhat interesting and dynamic, yet just plain enough to draw attention to the art rather than the interior structure of the building. The exterior does just the opposite, providing a wonderful contrast between the two.

Tadao Ando: Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth

This book’s main focus is on how Tadao Ando marries the traditional Japanese way of building with very modern techniques and styles of architecture. It celebrates Ando’s use of ordinary and easily-accessible materials. This book showcases many, many photos of the interior and exterior of the building.

Jodidio, Philip. Tadao Ando: Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. Rizzoli, 2008.

Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth - 110 Masterworks

This book highlights the contents of the museum rather than going into detail about the building itself. It goes into detail about the history of the museum, which is 110 years old. For this reason, the author decided to emphasize the work of 110 artists within the museum, with genres like abstract expressionism and minimalism.

Auping, Michael, et al. Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth 110. Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, 2002.

Exterior of The Modern, building materials labeled

Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth exterior, terrace

Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth exterior, gallery pavilion and reflecting pool

“The L-shaped building that invites this changing light is arranged in five parallel pavilions, each composed of inner concrete walls, outer glass walls, and a cantilevered, cast-concrete roof supported by a Y-shaped concrete column. The glassy perimeter spaces enjoy soft light and views through floor-to-ceiling screens. The inner galleries on the second level are illuminated in part by louvered skylights“ - Christopher Hudson, Architecture MN

Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, “Housed in a Tadao Ando-designed building that seems to float on water, the Modern maintains one of the foremost collections of post-World War II art in the central United States” - WhereTraveler

First floor plans of The Modern in Fort Worth, TX

Floor/site plan #1 of The Modern in Fort Worth

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