Japanese architect Shigeru Ban has been awarded the 2026 American Institute of Architects (AIA) Gold Medal, the organization's highest honor, for his groundbreaking work with unconventional and sustainable building materials. Ban, renowned for designing New Zealand's innovative Cardboard Cathedral, becomes the fourth Japanese architect to receive this prestigious award, joining previous recipients Fumihiko Maki, Tadao Ando, and Kenzo Tange.
The AIA recognized Ban for his revolutionary approach to architecture using renewable materials like paper and timber, which has resulted in resilient and sustainable designs including disaster shelters and the iconic Cardboard Cathedral. According to the AIA, "Shigeru Ban revolutionized architecture with renewable materials like paper and timber, creating resilient, sustainable designs like disaster shelters and the Cardboard Cathedral." The organization particularly praised his pioneering use of humble, renewable materials, especially paper and timber, which has become a hallmark of his architectural practice.
Born in Tokyo in 1957, Ban moved to the United States to pursue his architectural education at the Southern California Institute of Architecture and the Cooper Union School of Architecture. He returned to Japan in 1985 to establish Shigeru Ban Architects and has since created numerous landmark buildings worldwide. His notable projects include the Centre Pompidou-Metz in France and the Tamedia Office Building in Switzerland. Earlier this year, Dezeen Magazine named his Cardboard Cathedral in New Zealand the most significant building of 2013.
Beyond his permanent architectural works, Ban has made significant contributions to disaster relief efforts through his humanitarian architecture initiatives. In 1995, he established the non-profit organization Voluntary Architects Network (VAN), which creates emergency structures using sustainable materials like wood, paper, and bamboo. Through this organization, he has developed innovative solutions such as the Paper Log House, providing shelter in disaster-stricken areas around the world.
The AIA also acknowledged Ban's three-decade commitment to education, noting how he empowers students through hands-on projects that demonstrate architecture's potential for sustainability and community service. His educational approach showcases how architecture can serve both environmental and humanitarian purposes, inspiring a new generation of architects to consider the social impact of their work.
Ban's latest recognition adds to an impressive collection of architectural honors, including the prestigious Pritzker Architecture Prize in 2014 and the Praemium Imperiale award in the previous year. These accolades cement his position as one of the world's most innovative and socially conscious architects. The 2025 AIA Gold Medal was previously awarded to New York-based architect and educator Deborah Berke, while the 2024 award was presented to Ted Flato and David Lake, continuing the tradition of recognizing architectural excellence and innovation.
