Keynote: “Balancing Architectural Works and Social Contributions”

Prof. Shigeru Ban

Founder and Principal of Shigeru Ban Architects

Professor, Keio University

2014 Pritzker Architecture Prize recipient

About the Speaker

Born in Tokyo in 1957. Graduated from the Cooper Union. Started working for Arata Isozaki & Associates in 1982. Founded Shigeru Ban Architects in 1985. Became consultant to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in 1995. Established the NGO, Voluntary Architects’ Network (VAN) in the same year to support disaster relief. Selected works include Centre Pompidou- Metz, Oita Prefecture Art Museum, Mt. Fuji World Heritage Centre, Shizuoka, Musical Complex of La Seine Musicale, and Swatch Omega Headquarters. Recipient of multiple awards, including Grande Médaille d’or de l’Académie d’architecture, France (2004), Grand Prize of AIJ (2009) , le grade d’officier for L’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, France (2010), Auguste Perret Prize (2011), Art Prize from the Japanese Agency for Cultural Affairs (2012), le grade de commandeur for L’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, France (2014), Pritzker Architecture Prize (2014), Medal of Honor with Purple Ribbon, Japan (2017) , Mother Teresa Social Justice Award (2017) and Princess of Asturias Award for Concord (2022). An ambassador among “distinguished thinkers and practitioners” for the New European Bauhaus high-level roundtable (2021), Praemium Imperiale for Architecture(2024). Currently Special Guest Professor at Shibaura Institute of Technology Professor.

Lecture Abstract

Shigeru Ban, a recipient of the Pritzker Architecture Prize, has created his innovative architectural works using unconventional materials such as paper over 40 years of his career as an architect. He has also worked relentlessly on the disaster relief efforts since 1995 up until now. In this lecture, Shigeru Ban refers to his past and the latest architectural works as well as his humanitarian activities, and explains on the works and humanitarian activities.

Building Beyond Walls: Shigeru Ban’s Vision for Human-Centered Architecture In a world facing escalating environmental and humanitarian crises, how can architecture become a force for social good? Renowned architect and humanitarian Shigeru Ban, recipient of the Pritzker Architecture Prize, challenges conventional notions of design by prioritizing sustainability, flexibility, and human dignity. His approach goes beyond aesthetics, redefining architecture as a discipline that must actively contribute to solving global challenges. Ban has pioneered the use of recyclable materials such as paper tubes to create innovative structures, from world-class museums to emergency shelters in disaster-stricken regions. His work demonstrates that architecture can be both beautiful and responsible, addressing the needs of communities rather than serving only the privileged. He has consistently argued that architects have a social responsibility—not just to create striking designs, but to respond to the urgent needs of displaced populations, those affected by natural disasters, and societies struggling with rapid urbanization. Through case studies such as the Nomadic Museum, post-disaster housing projects, and nature-integrated designs, Ban illustrates how architecture can harmonize with the environment while responding dynamically to human crises. His projects prove that movable and recyclable architecture is not just an experimental concept but a practical solution for an ever-changing world. Looking ahead, he envisions a future where sustainable materials and innovative design principles redefine how we build, ensuring that architecture remains a discipline rooted in ethics, resilience, and sustainability.

Centre Pompidou-Metz, France, 2010 Mt.Fuji World Heritage Centre, Japan, 2017 Toyota City Museum, Japan, 2024