Riken Yamamoto wins 2024 Pritzker Architecture Prize

Japanese architect Riken Yamamoto has been awarded the 2024 Pritzker Prize

Riken Yamamoto was announced as the 2024 Pritzker Architecture Prize winner by the prize’s jury. The architect, based in Yokohama, has been awarded this prestigious accolade for his innovative designs and significant contributions to community development, as stated by the jury. Alejandro Aravena, Jury Chair and 2016 Pritzker Prize Laureate, highlighted Yamamoto’s critical role in promoting communal interaction through architectural interventions. Aravena emphasized Yamamoto’s ability to blur the boundaries between public and private spaces, a tactic that increases opportunities for societal engagement. According to Aravena, Yamamoto’s architectural philosophy goes beyond traditional boundaries, adding a sense of dignity and magnificence to everyday life.

Yokosuka Museum of Art – © Tomio Ohashi

The 2024 jury citation highlighted Riken Yamamoto’s remarkable contributions, particularly his efforts in raising awareness among communities about social responsibilities. Yamamoto was praised for his unique approach to architecture, which challenges conventional norms and ensures that each architectural solution is tailored to individual needs. The citation emphasized Yamamoto’s reminder that architecture and democracy are built through the collective determination of people.

Hotakubo Housing – © Tomio Ohashi

Riken Yamamoto is an architect with an extensive career spanning over five decades. His portfolio comprises a diverse range of projects, including housing such as Pangyo Housing located in Seongnam, Republic of Korea (2010), civic endeavors like the Hiroshima Nishi Fire Station in Hiroshima (2000), and cultural landmarks such as the Yokosuka Museum of Art in Yokosuka, Japan (2006), and the Tianjin Library in Tianjin, People’s Republic of China (2012). Yamamoto’s versatile contributions to architecture make him one of the most influential architects of our time.

Jian Wai SOHO – © Riken Yamamoto & Field Shop

Yamamoto stated that recognizing the significance of communal spaces is crucial. Architectural designs prioritize individual privacy, neglecting the importance of social bonds. However, it is possible to maintain each person’s autonomy while living collectively in architectural spaces, fostering cultural harmony and welcoming individuals at various life stages.