Japanese Architect Riken Yamamoto Receives Prestigious Pritzker Prize 2024 for Architectural Innovation

Japan has produced more winners of the Pritzker Prize than any other country in the award's 45-year history. The latest Japanese laureate, 78-year-old Riken Yamamoto, was announced on Tuesday as the ninth recipient of this prestigious honor, often referred to as the “Nobel of architecture.”

Yamamoto is best known for his innovative housing projects and educational institutions, making him a somewhat unexpected choice for the award. However, in a press statement revealing the decision, jury chair and former winner Alejandro Aravena praised Yamamoto as “a reassuring architect who brings dignity to everyday life.” Aravena also noted that Yamamoto has the ability to turn normality into something extraordinary and bring splendor through his calmness.

Throughout his five-decade career, Yamamoto has focused on building a sense of community in Japan's rapidly growing cities. His architectural projects, such as housing developments that encourage spontaneous interactions among residents and a glass-walled fire station that welcomes curious onlookers, aim to blur the lines between public and private spaces, according to a jury citation.

In this regard, Yamamoto shares similarities with recent recipients of the Pritzker Prize, an award that now tends to honor architects who prioritize social impact over creating iconic structures, rather than the traditional Japanese winners from previous generations.

At Shinonome Canal Court in Tokyo, residential blocks are connected by a deck featuring terraces and public green spaces.

At Shinonome Canal Court in Tokyo, residential blocks are connected by a deck featuring terraces and public green spaces.

Tomio Ohashi is known for his unique approach to architecture, which sets him apart from his avant-garde peers. In the early 1970s, while others like Kenzo Tange were focused on conceptual floating cities and grand megastructures, Ohashi was traveling the world with his mentor to learn about how people lived in villages. These experiences were the foundation of his career as an architect. In a recent interview with CNN, Ohashi reflected on these formative journeys, describing them as "my starting point as an architect."

What Yamamoto discovered in his research in North Africa and Central America was that traditional human societies had a balance between private and shared spaces, such as villages and households. However, in modern cities, this balance has shifted, leading to a lack of community for the people living there.

Yamamoto, speaking from Yokohama near Tokyo where he established his architecture firm over 50 years ago, noted that in urban areas, communities are scarce or even nonexistent.

Yamamoto's Ecoms House in Tosu, Japan, is a prototype made to showcase the efficiency of lightweight aluminum as a building material.

Yamamoto's Ecoms House in Tosu, Japan, is a prototype made to showcase the efficiency of lightweight aluminum as a building material.

Social isolation is a worry in the fields of architecture and urban planning. According to Yamamoto, the way cities are zoned, which dictates how land is utilized, tends to separate everyday life from commercial activities. Additionally, the construction of tall residential buildings, also known as "tower mansions" in Japan, further supports the idea of each family living in their own separate house.

Living in a city where 5,000 people reside independently from each other is common. In this type of living arrangement, individuals in tower blocks are self-sufficient and do not rely on one another. Many Japanese people view this as the perfect way to live, but personally, I have a different opinion.

Courtesy Komatsu Matere

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Transparency of design

Yamamoto's approach to housing promotes community interaction by creating spaces that encourage neighbors and the public to come together. This architectural intervention is designed to "suggest rather than impose," as noted by the Pritzker Prize jury.

In 1991, Yamamoto shifted his focus from private homes to social housing with a project in Kumamoto. The development consisted of 110 homes arranged in 16 clusters around a central courtyard lined with trees. The intentional design aimed to foster a sense of openness and increase the chances of spontaneous interactions among residents.

Completed in 1991, Hotakubo Housing in Kumamoto, Japan, was Yamamoto’s first social housing project.

Completed in 1991, Hotakubo Housing in Kumamoto, Japan, was Yamamoto’s first social housing project.

Tomio Ohashi, known for his innovative architectural designs, has left his mark on various projects around the world.

In Tokyo, the Shinonome Canal Court project showcases Yamamoto's creativity by connecting six large residential blocks with a second-floor deck. This deck includes terraces and shared green spaces for residents to enjoy.

One of his projects outside Japan, the Pangyo Housing in Seongnam, South Korea, also features communal decks that link homes together. However, what sets this development apart is the unique design element of glass walls on the ground level of each residence. This design allows neighbors to peek inside each other's houses, creating a sense of community and connection among residents.

Yamamoto recognized that some people might feel their privacy was being invaded. Initially, residents felt exposed living in what seemed like a "fishbowl," according to the architect. However, as time passed, they began to embrace the concept.

The architect mentioned that the idea became quite popular among the residents. They started using the ground-floor space for various purposes such as a gallery, guest room, or a place to socialize. Sometimes, people would gather there for different activities. He was thrilled when the residents invited him to a community party at the complex, as it showed their approval of his design.

Pangyo Housing in Seongnam, South Korea, is one of several projects Yamamoto has completed outside Japan.

Pangyo Housing in Seongnam, South Korea, is one of several projects Yamamoto has completed outside Japan.

Kouichi Satake, known for his emphasis on transparency, incorporates this concept into much of his work. In his design of a fire station in Hiroshima, the clear glass facade, walls, and floors allow passersby to see inside an institution that is typically closed off to the public. Similarly, at the Saitama Prefectural University and Future University in Koshigaya and Hakodate, spacious windows promote visibility between classrooms and departments, encouraging academic collaboration.

Reimagining the System

Yamamoto believes in simple solutions for urban problems. He thinks creating community and public spaces is uncomplicated. According to him, it's a return to how public spaces were in medieval Europe or Edo-period Japan.

Despite his vision, politics and profit have sometimes hindered progress. Yamamoto expressed disappointment that over 30 years have passed since his housing project in Kumamoto was completed, yet his dream of having shops and cafes on its lower levels remains unfulfilled due to local zoning regulations. He noted that another obstacle comes from property developers who typically focus on promoting standalone private homes.

Yamamoto emphasized the importance of political support but also urged developers to reconsider their approach. He suggested that developers should be open to changing their perspective, moving away from the traditional belief that "one house, one family" is the only way forward. He proposed a shift in the system to encourage a more diverse and innovative approach to housing development.

A firefighter in training at Yamamoto's Hiroshima Nishi Fire Station, which was completed in 2000.

A firefighter in training at Yamamoto's Hiroshima Nishi Fire Station, which was completed in 2000.

Tomio Ohashi, a prize first given to American architect Philip Johnson in 1979, is the Pritzker Prize. It acknowledges architects for their "consistent and significant contributions to humanity and the built environment."

Tomorrow AB/Foster + Partners

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Yamamoto, who has experience building in China and Switzerland, is the most recent winner in a series of award recipients honored for their dedication to public and community spaces.

In the previous year, the award was given to British architect David Chipperfield, renowned for his work on cultural buildings such as the Des Moines Public Library in Iowa and the Neues Museum in Berlin. In 2022, Francis Kéré made history as the first African laureate, recognized for his designs of schools, health centers, and community facilities.

The Japanese architect will be awarded with $100,000 and a bronze medallion.

Editor's P/S:

The article highlights the significant contributions of Japanese architects to the architectural landscape, particularly their focus on social impact and community-oriented designs. Riken Yamamoto's innovative housing projects and Tomio Ohashi's exploration of human societies in different cultures showcase their commitment to creating spaces that foster a sense of belonging and connection. Their work challenges traditional zoning regulations and the pursuit of profit, advocating for a more holistic approach to urban planning that prioritizes the well-being of individuals and communities. The article serves as a testament to the power of architecture in shaping our living environments and fostering a sense of community in an increasingly urbanized world.

Moreover, the article provides insights into the evolving nature of the Pritzker Prize, which has shifted its focus from iconic structures to projects that demonstrate a deep understanding of social needs and the human experience. By recognizing architects like Yamamoto and Kéré, the jury acknowledges the importance of addressing societal issues through design solutions. This shift reflects a growing awareness of the role architects can play in creating more equitable and sustainable cities, where public spaces and community engagement are central to the design process.