Japanese Architect Toyo Ito Wins Prestigious Pritzker Prize

Japanese architect Toyo Ito was awarded the Pritzker Prize, one of the most prestigious awards for any living architect. The Pritzker Prize honors the talent, vision, and commitment of an architect who has produced consistent, significant contributions to humanity through his/her art and designs.

Traditional house

Background on Japanese Architecture

Much of Japanese traditional architecture was derived from China and other Asian cultures through the centuries. Early architectural designs were also influenced by natural elements.  The general structure was similar to the Chinese, such as the use of lintels and posts to support curved roofs. Wood in its various forms was a common material, and walls were usually paper thin.

Western Influence

By the end of the Tokugawa Shogunate, Western influence could be seen in Japanese architectural designs. Many buildings in the military and trade industry showed heavy Western influences. During the Meiji Restoration era, Japan took on a fast growing Westernization phase that yielded hotels, schools, and bank structures of colonial architecture. The Ginza area in Tokyo was designated as the model of modernization after the Tsukiji area burned down in 1872.

Minna0-no-ie (Homes-for-all)

Japan has suffered some major architectural damage due to the natural disasters. Toyo Ito is well known for creating conceptual architecture, which strives to highlight the physical and virtual worlds through architectural designs. Considered as one of the world’s most innovative and influential architects, he has spearheaded a project called Minna-no-ie (Homes-for-all) in the disaster-stricken Tōhoku region of Japan, where many people lost their homes in the 2011 tsunami and earthquake. The project has brought many of Japan’s architects together to develop shared housing to nurture a sense of community.  Toyo Ito will be honored with the award on the 29th of May in Boston at the John F. Kennedy Library.