2014 Pritzker Architecture Prize: Shigeru Ban

Shigeru Ban is the 2014 Laureate of the Pritzker Architecture Prize.



Here's what I wrote at World-Architects on the award that was announced one hour ago:

Japanese architect Shigeru Ban has been selected as the 2014 Laureate of the prestigious Pritzker Architecture Prize. In a statement on the Pritzker Prize website, the award recognizes the architect's "elegant, innovative work for private clients" as well as the "resourceful design approach for his extensive humanitarian efforts." Both poles of Shigeru Ban's oeuvre are evident in two projects completed last year: Tamedia Office Building in Zürich and the Cardboard Cathedral in Christchurch, New Zealand. The former utilizes an innovative timber structure to create a pleasing office environment, while the latter serves as a temporary cathedral following the 2011 earthquake that damaged the Christchurch Cathedral. The official 2014 Pritzker Architecture Prize ceremony will take place at the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, on June 13.