Japanese Architect wins 2014 Pritzker Award

A Japanese architect, Shigeru Ban has won the 2014 Pritzker Architecture Award for his creative innovative and inexpensive designs for disaster relief shelters. The award, which is considered as the most prestigious in the world of architecture is given to the designers who have contributed significantly towards excellence in building work.

According to Ban, his objective is to build inexpensive, easy to construct, and easy to dismantle structures using recyclable materials such as cardboards tube frames, along with plastic sheets, to create temporary shelters and at times, using bricks and rubber wood.

Ban said his work is not limited to low cost and recyclable structures, it also includes museums, offices, auditoriums, and club houses. The Award has been instituted by Hyatt Foundation and carries $100,000 grant, a citation and a bronze medallion. He participated actively in designing and building houses during Bhuj earthquake relief operations.