Shigeru Ban
Shigeru Ban Architects
"Works and Humanitarian Activities"
In his lecture, Shigeru Ban explains on his past works to the present as well as on the disaster relief efforts in the challenge of applying architecture to make a difference in the world.
He also refers to his thoughts behind adapting different materials such as paper and timbre, and unveils his philosophy in design.
Born in Tokyo in 1957. Graduated from the Cooper Union. Started working for Arata Isozaki & Associates in 1982. Founded Shigeru Ban Architects in 1985. Became consultant to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in 1995. Established the NGO, Voluntary Architects’ Network (VAN) in the same year to support disaster relief.
Selected works include Curtain Wall House, Japan Pavilion at the Hannover Expo, Nicolas G. Hayek Center, and Centre Pompidou- Metz. Recipient of multiple awards, including Grande Médaille d’or de l’Académie d’architecture (2004), Arnold W. Brunner Memorial Prize in Architecture (2005), Grand Prize of AIJ (2009), Honorary Doctorate from Technische Universität München (2009), L’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, France (le grade d’off¬cier) (2010), Auguste Perret Prize (2011), Art Prize from the Japanese Agency for Cultural Affairs (2012), L’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, France (le grade de commandeur) (2014) and JIA Gran Prix (2016). Served as Professor at Keio University (2001-2008), Visiting Professor of Harvard University GSD and Cornell University (2010), and currently Professor at Kyoto University of Art and Design (2011-), Guest Professor of Keio University (2015-). Laureate of the 2014 Pritzker Architecture Prize.
