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. 

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 with a litany of various professional and civic honors, including an induction into the Order of Canada in 2008, a 2010 Sakura Award, and the 1997 RAIC Gold Medal. 

The $100,000 Moriyama RAIC International Prize was also established by the organization in 2014 in honor of his name.

"I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Raymond Moriyama, a visionary architect whose legacy will forever shape our cultural landscape. His iconic designs, including the Canadian War Museum, stand as testaments to his passion for storytelling through architecture," the institution's CEO and President Caroline Dromaguet said on X. "We are honoured to preserve Raymond’s legacy within the walls of our Museum. Our heartfelt condolences to his family."

The Globe and Mail architecture critic Alex Bozikovic added that he was "one of the most important architects in Canadian history."