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Architect Shigeru Ban named 2024 Praemium Imperiale laureate

2024-09-10T15:35:00-04:00

Shigeru Ban has been named the 35th Laureate of the prestigious Praemium Imperiale Award. The 67-year-old architect, originally from Tokyo, follows in the footsteps of Francis Kéré as the latest recipient in the Architecture category, after an eventful two years that have seen multiple installations of his innovative emergency shelters through the Voluntary Architects’ Network (VAN), along with completed projects for Tiffany & Co. and the Toyota City Museum, among other notable achievements. Ban's humanitarian work began in the 1990s, with notable efforts like his paper tube shelters in Rwanda and his involvement with disaster relief after the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake in Japan, which inspired him to establish VAN in 1995.

The Yoyogi Fukamachi Mini Park by Shigeru Ban. Photo: Satoshi Nagare.

Ban, who established his own namesake firm in Japan back in 1985, is highly regarded not only for his humanitarian efforts but also for key projects such as the Centre Pompidou-Metz (2010), ...

Glenn Murcutt named 2021 Praemium Imperiale laureate for architecture

2021-09-14T11:57:00-04:00

Glenn Murcutt has been named the 2021 Praemium Imperiale laureate for architecture by the Japan Art Association, making him the first Australian to be awarded the honor. Announcing the achievement, the Japan Art Association described Murcutt as “an architect ahead of his time; an architect who has spent his career creating modest, environmentally responsible buildings rooted in the climate and tradition of his native Australia.”

Marie Short House. Courtesy Architecture Foundation Australia.

“The Praemium Imperiale is a wonderful cultural gift to the arts, internationally,” Murcutt commented on his selection. “Being a 2021 recipient took me by complete surprise. It is simply wonderful for me, but especially for the profession of architecture in Australia. Even at 85, such an award encourages me to continue working for as long as I am able.”

Arthur and Yvonne Boyd Art Centre, 1999 New South Wales, Australia. Photo: Anthony Browell. Courtesy of TOTO Publishing

Murcutt entered private pr...

Tod Williams & Billie Tsien named 2019 Praemium Imperiale architecture laureates

2019-09-17T14:33:00-04:00

Japan's preeminent art and architecture prize, the Praemium Imperiale, today announced the newest round of laureates with the award in the Architecture category going to Tod Williams and Billie Tsien this year.

Established in 1986, the New York-based practice Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects has gained international recognition through their thoughtful and materiality-focused approach towards mostly public and institutional projects, such as the American Folk Art Museum (R.I.P.), the Barnes Foundation, the LeFrak Center at Lakeside, and more recently, their competition-winning design for the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago.

The American Folk Art Museum in New York City before it was demolished in 2014. Photo: Dan Nguyen/Flickr

"No matter the complexity or size of project," praises the Japan Art Association's laureates description for Williams and Tsien, "their values remain intact and their pursuit of leaving good marks on the earth and transcending expectations is unwaveri...

Paulo Mendes da Rocha wins the 2016 Praemium Imperiale Award

2016-09-13T14:39:00-04:00

A few months after winning the honorable 2016 Venice Biennale Golden Lion, Pritzker laureate Paulo Mendes da Rocha was announced today as the architecture recipient of the Japan Art Association's Praemium Imperiale International Arts Award for 2016. Comparable to the Nobel Peace Prize in prestige, the Praemium award celebrates extraordinary [lifetime] achievement [in the arts].

Well known for his elegant use of concrete and steel, here's a peek at some of da Rocha's projects:

National Coach Museum, 2015. Lisbon, Portugal

Patriarch Square Portico, 2002. São Paulo, Brazil

Pinacoteca do Estado de São Paulo, 1993, São Paulo, Brazil. Courtesy of Japan Art Association

More details on Bustler.

Previously on Archinect:

Dominique Perrault presented with the 2015 Praemium Imperiale gold medal for architecture

Steven Holl receives Praemium Imperiale International Arts medal for architecture

Dominique Perrault presented with the 2015 Praemium Imperiale gold medal for architecture

2015-10-21T18:15:00-04:00

Following last month's announcement, Dominique Perrault was presented with the 2015 Praemium Imperiale Arts Award medal for architecture during a formal ceremony today in Tokyo. Comparable to the Nobel Peace Prize, the prestigious award celebrates extraordinary achievement in the fields of Painting, Sculpture, Architecture, Music and Theatre/Film.

In recent years, the prize was awarded to Steven Holl, David Chipperfield, Henning Larsen, Ricardo Legorreta, Toyo Ito, Zaha Hadid, and Peter Zumthor, to name a few.

Alongside Perrault, the Praemium Imperiale medals were also presented to four notable cultural figures: Japanese-born British pianist Mitsuko Uchida; French ballerina Sylvie Guillem, German sculptor Wolfgang Laib, and graphic designer and artist Tadanori Yokoo. The 2015 Grant for Young Artists award (5 million yen) will go to Myanmar's Yangon Film School (headquartered in Berlin).

In addition to the specially-designed gold medals, the laureates received a testimonial letter f...

Dominique Perrault to receive 2015 Praemium Imperiale Arts Award for architecture

2015-09-10T14:50:00-04:00

Dominique Perrault is the 2015 architecture laureate for the prestigious Praemium Imperiale International Arts Award, as announced by the Japan Art Association today. Bestowed by the Japan Art Association since 1988, the award celebrates the association's 100th anniversary and honors the late Prince Takamatsu, who was a patron for 58 years and had faithful commitment to the arts.

The Praemium Imperiale recognizes lifetime achievement in the arts, and its list of winners include 134 legendary cultural figures of the 20th and 21st centuries. The prize also comes with a cash prize of 15 milion yen (approx. US$122,000). As expected, the list of architecture laureates is of a high caliber, including Steven Holl, David Chipperfield, Henning Larsen, Ricardo Legorreta, Toyo Ito, Zaha Hadid, and Peter Zumthor, to name a few.

Alongside Perrault, the 2015 Praemium Imperiale laureates include four cultural figures: Japanese-born British pianist Mitsuko Uchida; French ballerina Sylvie Guillem, G...

Steven Holl receives Praemium Imperiale International Arts medal for architecture

2014-10-15T14:49:00-04:00

Acclaimed architect Steven Holl received the Praemium Imperiale International Arts Award medal for architecture in a ceremony in Tokyo today. Japan's Prince Hitachi, honorary patron of the Japan Art Association, formally presented the awards to each of the 2014 laureates. Created in 1988, the prestigious Praemium Imperiale recognizes lifetime achievement in the arts in categories that aren't covered by the Nobel Prize.

The 2014 laureates also include: South African playwright Athol Fugard, Estonian composer Arvo Pärt, French painter Martial Raysse, and Italian sculptor Giuseppe Penone. The 2014 Grant for Young Artists (5 million yen, or US$50,000) was given to the Zinsou Foundation in Benin, West Africa.

Each recipient was presented with a specially designed gold medal, a testimonial letter from Prince Hitachi, and a cash prize of 15 milion yen (approx. US$150,000).

More details on Bustler.

Steven Holl wins 2014 Praemium Imperiale International Arts Award for architecture

2014-07-16T13:29:00-04:00

Steven Holl has been announced as one of six 2014 laureates of the prestigious Praemium Imperiale International Arts Award. Bestowed by the Japan Art Association, the annual award is one of the highest international prizes for architecture, painting, sculpture, music, and theatre/film.

It was established in 1988 to celebrate Japan Art Association's 100th anniversary and to honor the late Prince Takamatsu, who was a patron of the association for 58 years and had faithful commitment to the arts.

The Praemium Imperiale recognizes lifetime achievement in the arts in categories that aren't covered by the Nobel Prize, and comes with a cash prize of 15 milion yen (approx. US$150,000).

The 2014 laureates also include: South African playwright Athol Fugard, Estonian composer Arvo Pärt, French painter Martial Raysse, and Italian sculptor Giuseppe Penone. The 2014 Grant for Young Artists (5 million yen, or US$50,000) will be given to the Zinsou Foundation in Benin, West Africa.

Winners will ...

David Chipperfield receives Praemium Imperiale Award in architecture

2013-09-17T20:28:00-04:00

British architect David Chipperfield has been named as one of the five laureates in the Praemium Imperiale Awards for 2013. The announcement was made on Sept. 17 in Rome, New York, London, Berlin, Paris and Tokyo.

Henning Larsen Named 2012 Praemium Imperiale Laureate for Architecture

2012-09-12T19:31:00-04:00

The 2012 winners of the prestigious Praemium Imperiale arts awards were announced today by the Japan Art Association at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. The five recipients in their respective fields are Henning Larsen (Architecture, Denmark), Philip Glass (Music, USA), Cai Guo-Qiang (Painting, China), Cecco Bonanotte (Sculpture, Italy), and Yoko Morishita (Theater/Film, Japan).

Ricardo Legorreta Honored with 2011 Praemium Imperiale Prize

2011-07-11T14:50:41-04:00

Today, the names of the new Praemium Imperiale Laureates were announced in London, Berlin, Paris, Rome, New York and Tokyo. The 5 recipients in their respective fields are Ricardo Legorreta (Architecture, Mexico), Anish Kapoor (Sculpture, UK), Bill Viola (Painting, USA), Seiji Ozawa (Music, Japan), and Judi Dench (Theater/Film, UK).

Zaha Hadid Wins Praemium Imperiale Award for Architecture

2009-09-24T19:40:00-04:00

Zaha Hadid has been awarded the prestigious Praemium Imperiale Award for Architecture by the Japan Art Association. Hadid inherits the title from 2008 laureate Peter Zumthor. Bustler
Zaha Hadid has been awarded the prestigious Praemium Imperiale Award for Architecture by the Japan Art Association. Hadid inherits the title from 2008 laureate Peter Zumthor. The other Praemium Imperiale laureates for 2009 are: Painting - Hiroshi Sugimoto; Sculpture - Richard Long; Music - Alfred Brendel; Theater/Film: Tom Stoppard. Bustler

Praemium Imperiale for Peter Zumthor

2008-09-16T10:40:00-04:00

Peter Zumthor received the 2008 Praemium Imperiale prize offered by the Japanese emperor. The prize is awarded to artists who have earned exeptional merits for advancing of the arts. According to the jury from the Japanese Arts Association, Zumthor is an extraordinary appearance within the field of architecture and he always pursued to create something culturally and socially valuable. Bustler, NZZ, Swissinfo

2007 Praemium Imperiale Awards

2007-10-04T11:55:00-04:00

Swiss architects Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron have been awarded the prestigious Praemium Imperiale from the The Japan Art Association. This years other arts laureates include Daniel Buren (painting), Tony Cragg (sculpture), Daniel Barenboim (music), and Ellen Stewart (theater/film).

Praemium Imperiale Frei Otto

2006-09-28T12:02:00-04:00

German architect and engineer Frei Otto has won the 18th annual Praemium Imperiale prize for architecture. The prize will be presented in Tokyo next month on October 18th. ArchMag

Praemium Imperiale 2005

2005-10-18T09:14:00-04:00

Japan Art Society awards the Praemium Imperiale every year, selecting honorees from around the globe. Among this year's winners is Yoshio Taniguchi | 2005 Laureates |2004 | via NA

Praemium Imperiale 2004 Laureates

2004-10-20T17:26:00-04:00

Oscar Niemeyer and Bruce Nauman among the 2004 laureates in Japan's Praemium Imperiale.

Oscar Niemeyer, winner of this year's Praemium Imperiale, will receive 15 million yen ($194,000)

2004-06-08T15:49:00-04:00

Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer is among the five winners of this year's Praemium Imperiale, one of the richest prizes in the arts world. From ABC