The Architect

Toyo Ito
About Toyo Ito, the master architect

Toyo Ito is one of the most influential architects in practice today. In his career, Toyo Ito has developed an illustrious body of work that combines conceptual innovation with keen sensitivity to the landscape, creating exceptional architecture. His remarkable style has won him many global awards including the Brunner Memorial Prize (2000), RIBA Royal Gold Medal (2006), Frederick Kiesler Prize (2008), Praemium Imperiale (2010), the Pritzker Prize for Architecture (2013) and the Thomas Jefferson Foundation Medal in Architecture (2014). Admired for his presentation of architecture and nature using surprising geometries, Toyo Ito is also dedicated to the process of discovery and delight, as seen in the Sendai Mediatheque, National Taiwan University College of Social Sciences, Tama Art University Library, inter alia.

Toyo Ito:
Honorary Fellowship of AIA
Honorary Fellowship of RIBA
Commissioner of Kumamoto Artpolis
Biography 
1941Born in Seoul Metropolitan City
1965-69Graduated from The University of Tokyo, Department of Architecture
 Worked at Kiyonori Kikutake Architects and Associates
1971Started his own studio, Urban Robot (URBOT) in Tokyo
1979Changed its name to Toyo Ito & Associates, Architects
  
Awards and Prizes:
1986Architecture Institute of Japan awards for “Silver Hut”
199233rd Mainich Art Award for Yatsushiro Municipal Museum
1998Ministry of Education Award for the Encouragement of Arts for “Dome in Odate”
1999Japan Art Academy Prize for “Dome in Odate”
2000Accorded the Title “Academician” from The International Academy of Architecture
 2000 The Arnold W. Brunner Memorial Prize in Architecture from American Academy of Arts and Letters
2001Grand Prize of Good Design Award 2001 from Japan Industrial Design Promotion Organization (JIDPO) for “Sendai Mediatheque”
2002Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement of the 8th International Architecture Exhibition NEXT at the Venice Biennale
2003Architectural Institute of Japan Prize for “Sendai Mediatheque”
2004XX ADI Compasso d’Oro Award for “Ripples” (furniture design)
2006Royal Gold Medal from The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA)
 Public Building Award for “Sendai Mediatheque”
2008ADI Compasso d’Oro Award for the Stand Horm 2005
 6th Austrian Frederick Kiesler Prize for Architecture and the Arts
2009Medalla de Oro from Circulo de Bellas Artes de Madrid
20102009 The Asahi Prize
 The 22nd Praemium Imperiale in Honor of Prince Takamatsu
2012Golden Lion for Best National Participation for the Japan Pavilion 13th International Architecture Exhibition at the Venice Biennale (Served as Commissioner)
2013Pritzker Architecture Prize