Renewed Japanese architect, city planner and theorist has been selected as the winner of the 2019 Pritzker Prize.

The award is known internationally as architecture's highest honor. The was founded in 1979 by the late Jay A . Pritzker and his wife Cindy.

Its purpose is to honor annually a living architect or architects whose built work demonstrates a combination of those qualities of talent, vision and commitment, which has produced consistent and significant contributions to humanity and the built environment through the art of architecture .

Born in Ōita, Island of Kyushu, Isozaki became the first Japanese architect to forge a deep and long-lasting relationship between East and West.
Possessing a profound knowledge of architectural history and theory, and embracing the avant-garde, he never merely replicated the status quo but challenged it . And in his search for meaningful architecture, he created buildings of great quality that to this day defy categorizations, reflect his constant evolution, and are always fresh in their approach. His precision and dexterity are demonstrated through his mastery of interpretation of site and context, and intentionality of details.

Described as “he surpasses the framework of architecture to raise questions that transcend eras and borders.” and lauded as a visionary amongst his international contemporaries, Arata Isozaki's forward-thinking approach, deep commitment to the “art of space” and transnational methodology have been evidenced since the early 60's.

Isozaki's early successes in architecture transpired during the era following the Allied occupation of Japan, when the country sought to rebuild itself after the ruins of the Second World War. Not only did he extend efforts to physically reconstruct his native hometown with buildings including Ōita Medical Hall (1959-60) and Annex (1970-1972 Ōita, Japan), and the Ōita Prefectural Library (1962-1966 Ōita, Japan, renamed Ōita Art Plaza in 1996), but also redefined mutual exchange between eastern and western societies, allowing Japanese vision to inform European and American design, particularly in the 80's.

Qatar National Convention Center | Photography: Hisao Suzuki

Isozaki has shown extraordinary dynamism in recent years with such Worldwide works as Qatar Convention Center, the traveling inflatable Ark Nova designed with Anish Kapoor for regions in Japan affected by the 2011 tsunami, the Shanghai Symphony Hall and the powerful yet elegant Allianz Tower in Milan. Once again, it is a testimony to his ability to understand the context in all its complexity and to create a remarkable, well-crafted and inspiring building that is successful from city scale to the interior spaces .

Allianz Tower in Milan | Photography: Alessandra Chemollo

The 2019 Pritzker Architecture Prize Jury composed by Stephen Breyer (Chair – U.S. Supreme Court Justice Washington, DC) André Aranha Corrêa do Lago (Architectural critic, Curator, and Brazilian Ambassador to India Tokyo, Japan) Richard Rogers (Architect and 2007 Pritzker Laureate London, England)  Sejima Kazuyo (Architect and 2010 Pritzker Laureate Tokyo, Japan) Benedetta Tagliabue (Architect and Educator Barcelona, Spain) Ratan N.Tata (Chairman of Tata Trusts Mumbai, India) Wang Shu (Architect, Educator and 2012 Pritzker Laureate Hangzhou, China) Martha Thorne (Executive Director – Dean, IE School of Architecture & Design Madrid, Spain) states “possessing a profound knowledge of architectural history and theory, and embracing the avant-garde, he never merely replicated the status quo, but his search for meaningful architecture was reflected in his buildings that to this day, defy stylistic categorizations, are constantly evolving, and always fresh in their approach.

Clearly, Arata Isozaki is one of the most influential figures in contemporary world architecture on a constant search, not afraid to change and try new ideas.

His architecture rests on profound understanding, not only of architecture but also of philosophy, history, theory and culture. He has brought together East and West, not through mimicry or as a collage, but through the forging of new paths.

He has set an example of generosity as he supports other architects and encourages them in competitions or through collaborative works. For all these reasons, the 2019 Pritzker Architecture Prize Jury has selected Arata Isozaki the 2019 Laureate .

Arata Isozaki Built Works

2014-2017 Bass Museum expansion, Florida, USA
2011-2017 Hunan Provincial Museum, Changsha, China
2011-2013 Lucerne Festival Ark Nova (collaborated with Anish Kapoor) Miyagi(2013,2014), Fukushima(2015), Tokyo(2017), Japan
2009-2015 Harbin Concert Hall, Harbin, China
2008-2014 Shanghai Symphony Hall, Shanghai, China
2007-2011 New Library Maranello, Maranello, Italy
2007-2014 Krakow Congress Center, Krakow, Poland
2006-2009 Xixi Wetland Museum, Hangzhou, China
2004-2005  Hotel Puerta America, Madrid, Spain
2006-2008 Hara Museum ARC extension (Kankaian), Gunma
2005-2010 Obscured Horizon, California, USA
2004 University of Central Asia, Master Plan, Naryn Campus, Kyrgyz (2016), Khorog Campus, Tajikistan (2018), Tekeli Campus, Kazakhstan (under construction)
2004-2015  Jianchuan Museum Complex, Japanese Army Museum, Jianchuan, China
2004-2011 Qatar National Convention Center, Doha, Qatar
2004 TEDA Two Decade Anniversary Urban Memorial Monument Design, Tianjin, China
2003-2014 Allianz Tower, Milan, Italy
2003-2008 Central Academy of Fine Arts, Museum of Contemporary Art, Beijing, China
2003-2013 Himalayas Center, Shanghai, China
2004-2009 Shanghai Mandarin Palace, Shanghai, China
2003-2008 Qingdao Guiyuan Garden, Qingdao, China
2004-2010 Megaron Concert Hall, Thessaloniki, Greece
2003-2009 China International Practical Exhibition of Architecture – Conference Center, Nanjing, China
2002-2006 Torino 2006 Winter Olympic Games Ice Hockey Stadium, Torino, Italy
2002  Inscribed Monument to Shinichiro Nakamura, Nagano
2001-2005 Isozaki Atea-Urbitarite Project, Bilbao, Spain
2001-2004 Qatar Education City Master Plan, Doha, Qatar
1999-2002 La Caixa Forum, Entrance Court, Barcelona, Spain
1998-2008 Shenzhen Cultural Center, Shenzhen, China
1998-2005 Kitagata Town Community Center, Gifu, Japan
1997-2003 Yamaguchi Center for Arts and Media, Yamaguchi, Japan
1997-2002 Tokyo Geriatric Complex, Tokyo, Japan
1996-97 Art Plaza renovation (former Ōita Prefectural Library), Ōita, Japan
1996-2002 Ceramic Park MINO, Gifu, Japan
1995-99  Gunma Astronomical Observatory, Gunma, Japan
1995-98 Akiyoshidai International Arts Village, Yamaguchi, Japan
1995-98 Center for Advanced Science & Technology, Second Construction Period,
1995-97 Hyogo, Japan
1994-99 Yamanaka, Fukuoka, Japan
1994-97 Ohio Center of Science & Industry, Ohio, USA
1993-98 Museum of Modern Art, Gunma; Contemporary Art Wing, Gunma, Japan Granship-Shizuoka Convention & Arts Center, Shizuoka, Japan
1993-97 Shizuoka Performing Arts Center, Shizuoka, Japan
1993-96 Okayama West Police Station, Okayama, Japan
1993-95 Domus: La Casa del Hombre, La Coruña, Spain
1993-94 Luigi Nono's Tomb, Venice, Italy
1993-2000 Bass Museum expansion, Florida, USA
1993 Inscribed Monument to Michizo Tachihara, Nagano, Japan
1992-98 Daimler Benz AG, Project Potsdamer Platz Block C2+C3, Berlin, Germany
1992-98 Nara Centennial Hall, Nara, Japan
1992-94 Nakaya Ukichiro Museum of Snow and Ice, Ishikawa, Japan
1992 Meiteisen Temporary Tea Pavillion, Shizuoka, Japan
1991-95 B-con Plaza-International Convention Hall, Ōita, Japan
1991-95 Kyoto Concert Hall, Kyoto, Japan
1991-95 Toyonokuni Library for Cultural Resources, Ōita, Japan
1991-94 New Toga-Sanbo Theater, Toyama, Japan
1991-94 Nagi Museum of Contemporary Art, Okayama, Japan
1991-92 Guggenheim Museum SoHo, New York, USA
1990-94 Manggha Center of Japanese Art and Technology, Kraków, Poland
1990-93 Harima Science Park, Urban Design Planning, Center for Advanced Science & Technology, Hyogo, Japan
1990-92 Uji-An Tea Ceremony House, Tokyo, Japan
1989-91 Tateyama Museum of Toyama and Youboh-kan Hall, Toyama, Japan
1989-90 JR Kyushu Yufuin Railway Station, Ōita, Japan
1988-91 Marutan Building, Kanagawa, Japan
1988-90 Hara Museum ARC, Café and Terrace, Gunma, Japan
1988-90 International Friendship Pavilion, EXPO '90 International Garden and Greenery Exposition, Osaka, Japan
1988-90 Acqua Hall, EXPO '90 International Garden and Greenery Exposition Osaka, Japan
1988-89 Tokyo Christian College, Chapel, Chiba, Japan
1987-96 Pabellón Polideportivo, Palafolls, Spain
1987-90 Team Disney building, Florida, USA
1987-90 Kitakyushu International Conference Center, Fukuoka, Japan
1987-89 Bond University – Library, Administration Building, Faculty of Humanities Building, Queensland, Australia
1987-89 Clubhouse, Lake Sagami Country Club, Yamanashi, Japan
1987-88 G Gallery, London, England
1987-88 Hara Museum ARC, Gunma, Japan
1986-93 Tokyo University of Art and Design, Tokyo, Japan
1986-92 The Brooklyn Museum Expansion, Brooklyn, New York, USA in partnership with James Stewart Polshek
1986-90 Art Tower Mito, Ibaraki, Japan
1986-87 Clubhouse, Musashi-kyuryo Country Club, Saitama, Japan
1985-88 Narimasu Church, Tokyo, Japan
1985-86 Kitakyushu City Museum of Art, Annex, Fukuoka, Japan
1985 Hara Museum of Contemporary Art, Café and Terrace, Tokyo, Japan
1985 Nishi Toyama Tower Garden – Tokyo Globe-za Plaza,Tokyo, Japan
1985 “I” House Ōita, Japan
1984-87 Ochanomizu Square Building – Casals Hall, Tokyo, Japan
1984-87 Toga-mura Japan Performing Arts Center, Library and Studio, Toyama, Japan1984-85 Iwata High School, Gymnasium and Dormitory, Ōita, Japan
1983-90 Barcelona 1992 Olympic Games Main Sports Hall – Palau D'Esports Sant Jordi, Barcelona, Spain
1983-86 Yokoo Studio, Tokyo, Japan
1983-85 Shinoyama Studio, Tokyo, Japan
1983-85 Palladium Club, New York, USA
1983-84 Glass Art Akasaka, Tokyo, Japan
1982-86 Housing Block 4, House 2, IBA, Berlin, Germany
1982-84 Okanoyama Graphic Art Museum, Hyogo, Japan
1982-83 Nakagami House, Fukui, Japan
1982 Togamura Amphitheater, Toyama, Japan
1982 Hauserman Showroom, Merchandise Mart, Chicago, USA
1981-86 The Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles California, USA
1981-86 Björnson Studio and House, California, USA
1981-82 House with Three Walls, California, USA
1980-82 Toga Sanbo Theater, Toyama, Japan
1980-81 Etoh Clinic, Ōita, Japan
1979-83 Tsukuba Center Building, Ibaraki
1979-80 Irahara House, Fukuoka, Japan
1978-83 Fukuoka City Bank, Head Office Expansion, Fukuoka, Japan
1978-80 Gymnasium and Dining Hall of Nippon Electric Glass Company, Shiga, Japan1978-79 Hakubi Kyoto Kimono School, Tokyo, Japan
1977-79 Aoki House, Tokyo, Japan
1977-79 Ōita Audio-Visual Center, Ōita, Japan
1977-78 Karashima House, Ōita, Japan
1977-78 Sueoka Clinic, Ōita, Japan
1976-78 Kamioka Town Hall, Gifu, Japan
1976-77 Hayashi House, Fukuoka, Japan
1976-77 Kaijima House, Tokyo, Japan
1976-77 Otomo Sorin's Tomb, Ōita, Japan
1975-77 West Japan General Exhibition Center, Fukuoka, Japan
1974-75 Shuko-sha Building, Fukuoka, Japan
1974-75 Karuizawa ASKA Lodge Project, Nagano, Japan
1973-75 Yano House, Kanagawa, Japan
1973-74 Clubhouse, Fujimi Country Club, Ōita, Japan
1973-74 Kitakyushu Central Library, Fukuoka, Japan
1972-74 The Kitakyushu City Museum of Art, Fukuoka, Japan
1972-73 Fukuoka City Bank, Saga Branch, Saga, Japan
1971-74 The Museum of Modern Art, Gunma, Japan
1971 Gunma-no-mori Park, Gunma, Japan
1971 Fukuoka City Bank, Nagasumi Branch, Fukuoka, Japan
1971 Fukuoka City Bank, Ropponmatsu Branch, Fukuoka, Japan
1970-72 Ōita Medical Hall, Annex, Ōita, Japan
1970-71 Fukuoka City Bank, Tokyo Branch, Façade and Interior Design, Tokyo, Japan1968-71 Fukuoka City Bank, Head Office, Fukuoka, Japan
1967-69 Fukuoka City Bank, Daimyo Branch, Fukuoka, Japan
1966-70 EXPO '70 Osaka, Festival Plaza, Osaka, Japan
1966-67 Kuju Mountains Cenotaph for a Poet, Ōita, Japan
1966-67 Fukuoka City Bank, Ōita Branch, Ōita, Japan
1965 Urban Planning, Kenzo Tange Team, Skopje, Yugoslavia
1964 Nakayama House, Ōita, Japan
1963-64 Iwata Girls' High School, Ōita, Japan
1962-66 Ōita Prefectural Library, Ōita, Japan
1959-60 Ōita Medical Hall, Ōita, Japan