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Celebrated Canadian architect Raymond Moriyama passes away aged 93

2023-09-05T13:45:00-04:00

Raymond Moriyama, a generational talent who greatly influenced the development of modern architecture in his native Canada, passed away on September 1st, according to his studio. He was 93 years old.

The founder of Moriyama Teshima Architects (MTA), Moriyama will be remembered for contributions such as the Ontario Science Centre, Canadian War Museum, and Bata Shoe Museum that were emblematic of his humanitarian commitments, personal experiences with multiculturalism, and social philosophy.

The Bata Shoe Museum. Image: Ali Eminov via Flickr (CC BY-NC 2.0)

He studied architecture and planning at both the University of Toronto and McGill University before practicing independently until being joined by Ted Teshima in 1970. The pair then went on to garner acclaim internationally over their designs for the Canadian Embassy in Tokyo, Etihad Museum, and the National Museum of Saudi Arabia, which was completed in Riyadh in 1999. Several major awards followed, and Moriyama ended his career wi...

Four projects shortlisted for 2017 Moriyama RAIC Prize

2017-05-26T13:42:00-04:00

It's down to the final four for the 2017 Moriyama RAIC Prize. Established in 2014 by notable Canadian architect Raymond Moriyama along with the RAIC and the RAIC Foundation, the CAD$100,000 prize celebrates a single architectural project that is “transformative within its social context” and deemed exemplary of positively impactful and inclusive design.

“The Prize is aimed at encouraging architects to be service-oriented rather than just focusing on producing something that looks good in magazines,” says Raymond Moriyama. “It’s to serve the community and humanity.” Back in 2014, Li Xiaodong won the inaugural prize.

Here's a glimpse of the 2017 shortlist:

8 House, Copenhagen, Denmark by BIG | Bjarke Ingels Group

Photo: Jens Lindhe.

Fuji Kindergarten, Tokyo, Japan by Tezuka Architects

Photo: Katsuhisa Kida.

Melbourne School of Design, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia by John Wardle Architects and NADAAA

Photo: Peter Bennetts.

The Village Architect Shobac Campus, Upper Kingsburg, Nova Scotia, Canada by MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects

Photo: Matthew MacKay-Lyons.

Learn more on Bustler.

Jury announced for 2017 Moriyama RAIC International Prize, begins tradition of including prize's prior winner

2016-11-11T13:32:00-05:00

The Prize celebrates a single work of architecture that is judged to be transformative within its societal context and reflects Moriyama's conviction that great architecture transforms society by promoting social justice and humanistic values of respect and inclusiveness. [...] "the conversation about architecture in Canada needs to include what our peers are doing around the globe ... we wish to be there when the best architecture is discussed, wherever it might have been constructed."

The new Canadian prize, which includes CAD $100,000 and a sculpture by Canadian designer Wei Yew, will celebrate its second year in 2017. Li Xiaodong won the prize's inaugural award in 2014 for his Liyuan Library in China, and will now serve on the international jury for the 2017 prize—beginning the Prize's tradition in including the prior winner on the next iteration's jury.

As reported by Bustler, the members of the 2017 Moriyama RAIC International Prize jury are:

Monica Adair, MRAIC: Co-founder of Acre Architects and 2015 Recipient of the RAIC Young Architect Award.
Manon Asselin, MRAIC: Co-founder of Atelier TAG and Associate Professor of Architecture at the University of Montreal.
Bryan Avery, MBE: Founder of Avery Associates Architects, London, England, author and lecturer.
George Baird, FRAIC: Founding Principal of Baird Sampson Neuert Architects, Former Dean of the John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design at the University of Toronto, and Recipient of the 20...

Episode 2 of "Archinect Sessions" podcast out now!

2014-10-16T19:35:00-04:00

"Archinect Sessions" is a weekly podcast discussing recent news items and happenings on the site. Hosted by Archinect's founder and publisher, Paul Petrunia, alongside Editorial Manager Amelia Taylor-Hochberg, the podcast pulls on the expertise of special weekly co-hosts, whether other Archinectors or players within the architecture community at large.

Co-hosts Donna Sink and Ken Koense join us for our second episode, to discuss licensing and IDP issues at NCARB, the value of mentorship in the profession, and the latest news on the Moriyama RAIC International Prize. We also spoke with Archinector Terri Peters about her coverage of the Moriyama Prize, and have a special bonus interview (available below) with Haley Gipe, Assoc. AIA, who's involved with the renaming issue through NCARB and AIA.

To listen to the "Archinect Sessions" podcast:

iTunes: Click here to subscribe, and click the "Subscribe" button below the logo to automatically download new episodes.
Apple Podcast App (iOS): cl...

Reporting from Toronto: Li Xiaodong wins inaugural Moriyama RAIC International Prize for the Liyuan Library

2014-10-13T14:05:00-04:00

Designed to inspire Canadian architects and raise the level of ambition in Canadian architectural culture, the inaugural 2014 Moriyama RAIC International Prize of $100,000 CAD has been awarded to Liyuan Library, a dramatic and beautiful project in Jiaojiehe China. The building is a simply detailed, glazed volume screened by locally sourced wood twigs, set in a stunning rural landscape. Designed to make a big impact in its social context, the community-run facility is building its collection asking visitors to donate two books for each one they borrow. The award is for a “single, transformative work of architecture”.

The award was founded by esteemed Canadian architect Raymond Moriyama and this year´s prize was judged by jurors Brian Mackay-Lyons, Patricia Patkau, Bing Thom, Maxime Alexis-Frappier, Barry Johns and Edward Cullinan. The submission guidelines were surprisingly open: any building, anywhere, any program, any size, by architects or designers. The main stipulation was tha...

Raymond Moriyama and RAIC announce $100K Canadian prize for world's best building

2014-04-03T14:14:00-04:00

There's a new architecture prize in town and it's loaded. The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) Foundation and distinguished Canadian architect Raymond Moriyama announced today the launch of the Moriyama RAIC International Prize, a biennial award for the best building or project in the world. Now one of the world's largest architectural prizes, it consists of CAD$100,000 and a sculpture designed by Canadian designer Wei Yew -- perhaps making it a potential rival to the prestigious Pritzker Prize.

Moriyama and RAIC established the award in effort to raise the international stature of RAIC and the work of Canadian architects. Moriyama first thought of the idea in 1976 while on a three-month walk in the footsteps of Buddha through India and Nepal.

The prize is open to any architect, firm, or collaboration in the world for an outstanding building or project. It may also be granted to a non-architect for an exceptional contribution to architecture. The winner will be selected ...