Architecture Royalty: Pritzker Prize Laureate Riken Yamamoto’s Timeless Design

Riken Yamamoto’s innovative approach to architecture and his commitment to fostering community through design have earned him the prestigious 2024 Pritzker Prize. Born in China in 1945, Yamamoto's career spans the evolution of modern and industrial architecture, reflecting his deep understanding of these transformative influences. You can read a detailed biography of Yamamoto on the Pritzker Prize website.

The Second World War was a turning point for Japanese architecture. Though tradition still found its way into projects, priorities started shifting towards economic recovery and industrialization, which impacted the way buildings were designed. Yamamoto explained how this influenced his own work:

“After World War II, Japan lost many traditional towns and villages. They were blown away. There are very few left. Famous cities for foreigners, like Kyoto and Takayama, still have traditional streetscapes. I think we must continue to preserve such streetscapes. However, with today's modernization prioritizing economic growth, architecture is changing. Therefore, I believe that architects are responsible for preserving old streetscapes, and we must communicate how important it is to create such an environment.”

At the heart of Yamamoto’s design philosophy is the belief that architecture and community are inseparable, a view developed in part as a response to post-war industrialization. He sees architecture as a tool to bring people together and foster a sense of belonging.

The announcement page for Yamamoto’s Pritzker Prize win details how his work revolves around the idea that architecture is at its best when it creates harmony between the natural and built environments. When we asked Yamamoto about this, he focused on the word “threshold.” 

The threshold is perfect symbolism for Yamamoto’s design philosophy. The concept of a threshold — the gateway between indoor and outdoor — is what Yamamoto strives to achieve in his architecture: to amplify Mother Earth rather than dominate it.

Yamamoto emphasizes the importance of understanding and responding to the context in which a building is situated. This includes the cultural, historical, and environmental aspects of the site. He believes that architecture should harmonize with its surroundings rather than eclipse them, a principle you can see clearly throughout his portfolio.

A prime example of Yamamoto's design philosophy in action is the Hiroshima Nishi Fire Station. Unlike typical firehouses built solely for utility, Yamamoto’s design features a nearly transparent façade. This design choice allows the community to observe firefighters in their work environment, enhancing the public’s sense of safety and connection to those who protect them. The continuous visibility of the firefighters' activities fosters a stronger community bond, aligning with Yamamoto’s vision of architecture as a communal catalyst.

The firehouse is also carefully integrated into its urban environment. Its design takes into consideration the surrounding context, ensuring that it complements the existing cityscape. The building’s form and materials were chosen to harmonize with the local architectural vocabulary while standing out as a modern facility.

The firehouse’s design reflects Yamamoto’s minimalist aesthetic, characterized by clean lines and a simple yet striking form. The use of modern materials such as glass and steel gives the building a contemporary look, while the thoughtful detailing adds a sense of refinement.

The Hotakubo Housing project, consisting of 110 units surrounding a central courtyard, epitomizes Yamamoto’s approach to community-oriented design. The courtyard, accessible only through the units themselves and a singular community hall, provides a private yet communal space for residents. This design promotes interaction among residents while maintaining their privacy, reflecting Yamamoto's nuanced understanding of communal living.

This design intent can be seen in Yamamoto’s concept drawing below, which shows a community gathering in the courtyard from one resident’s balcony.

The project emphasizes the integration of natural elements into the living environment. Each unit features large windows and balconies that provide ample natural light and views of the surrounding greenery. The use of green spaces and gardens within the development creates a connection between the built environment and nature.

Yamamoto’s community-forward thinking unsurprisingly motivates his approach to collaboration and teamwork as well. He expressed enormous confidence in his team and the way they work.

Riken Yamamoto & Field Shop is structured to maximize collaborative opportunities. Everyone communicates with Yamamoto on a one-on-one basis, and all team members are encouraged to participate in every project. This allows Yamamoto to work with each employee individually and to foster more intimate collaborative relationships.

Often, the team will output their Vectorworks screen onto a large projector to discuss details with Yamamoto. “As an example, it’s good to be able to tell how it would affect the lower floor if the core location were slightly shifted,” said Takashi Oka, a designer on Yamamoto’s team, “and we make these kinds of decisions by analyzing the Vectorworks drawings on a projector.”

Yamamoto places a similar emphasis on collaborating with professionals outside of his office.

“Architects need the help of many other professionals,” Yamamoto said. “Architectural design can be empathetic to the initiative of one architect only with the collaboration of numerous professionals. From the very beginning of the design process, it’s very important to collaborate with experts in signage, furniture, landscape, textiles, lighting, sound, as well as structure and mechanical systems.”

In addition to the creation of design drawings and specifications, Yamamoto’s team uses Vectorworks for all design tasks, such as importing site line data to create surrounding models and importing supporting models from other 3D software to create axonometric drawings. The drawings shown below were created in Vectorworks for the Hotakubo Housing project.

His team shared that layers in Vectorworks are one of the software’s biggest advantages. They compared layers to using trace paper in the days of hand drafting. “It’s the most straightforward and reasonable format for architectural drawings,” Oka said.

The team also shared that they rely on Vectorworks for its all-in-one nature. In one software, they can complete detailed drawings and presentation materials for every project phase.

Riken Yamamoto's visionary approach and innovative contributions to architecture have left an indelible mark on the field. His designs, characterized by their harmonious integration with the environment and profound social relevance, reflect a deep understanding of both aesthetic and functional principles.

Yamamoto's portfolio is a testament to his relentless pursuit of architectural excellence. His receipt of the 2024 Pritzker Prize is a fitting recognition of his outstanding achievements and his enduring impact on architecture. As we look forward to his future projects, Yamamoto's legacy continues to inspire and elevate the standards of architectural design worldwide.

Learn more about Riken Yamamoto.