9sekunden's short film explores tadao ando's first building outside of japan

german-based studio 9sekunden has travelled to the vitra campus in weil am rhein to capture the conference pavilion designed by renowned japanese architect tadao ando. the short film explores the building from inside out, taking viewers on a serene journey from the entrance of the pavilion to the intimate interior spaces. 

all images and video courtesy of 9sekunden

built in 1993, the conference pavilion for vitra marked the first project tadao ando realized outside of japan. with the short film, 9sekunden conveys the architect’s typically restrained style and the meditative atmosphere of the design. using the tranquility of the place as a stylistic device, overhead drone-flights, long sequences and strict geometrical camera shots, the calm sensation of the building is effectively reflected in the piece. 

the volumes of the pavilion lie quietly in the landscape, embedded amid a grove of cherry trees, which was an important element of the design. from the overhead shots, viewers get a feel for the buildings composition and the way the masses are arranged to fit the site. as the film zooms closer into the structure, the exposed concrete can be appreciated for its restrained architectural language and unpolished texture. with a pared-back use of color and long, slow camera movements, the video lets viewers enjoy a relaxed exploration of ando’s work, perfectly in keeping with the architecture itself.

film info:

name: ‘vitra’

film by: 9sekunden

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: lynne myers | designboom