As the world’s population increases and the demand for natural resources surges, architects need to create sustainable buildings that last more than 100 years, according to Japanese architect Tadao Ando.

“Fifty years ago, we lived using one-tenth of the energy we use today, and now with the population growth, we need more resources. And we build many things as well, but what we need to keep in mind is creating sustainable buildings that last over 100 to 150 years,” said Ando in a lecture held during the second Herald Design Forum in Seoul on Thursday.

Ando was the first lecturer to be greeted by the roughly 1,000 attendees of the forum, which invites top designers and artists from around the world to share their ideas on design.

Sustainability has become a keyword for Ando recently, but it is a condensed concept of what he has experienced throughout his career as an architect.

Inspired by the legendary Japanese architect Kenzo Tange’s buildings, Ando thought architecture should touch people’s hearts. Through a reconstruction project for his friend’s house, he learned he should put the people and their needs first. The celebrated Church of the Light was a result of much thinking about what he wanted to build for the public. After the 1995 Kobe earthquake, Ando learned that cities must be safe.

Now facing transformational global demographic trends, Ando stressed design has more roles to play than ever before.

“People can live till 90 years old and we need to think about the role of design in this regard. In order to lead a happy life, we need physical and mental health. And designers should provide mental health,” said Ando.

As a self-taught architect without a college degree or formal architecture education, Ando has led a successful career in architecture with “passion” and “hard work.”

“It was hard for me to begin my architecture career in Japan where education is considered crucial for success. But I managed to live somehow till now,” said Ando.

Ando is conducting numerous major projects around the world, from the U.S. and Mexico to Italy.

He cited Italy for making art and design a priority and the driving force of national power.

“Countries like Italy have this bright side looking at their future. Despite economic hardship, they build museums and theaters. When I asked them why they do it, they said they need the power of art and beauty to help them move forward,” said Ando.

“We need design that will keep us going forward with a bright mind,” he stressed.

By Lee Woo-young (wylee@heraldcorp.com)