Shigeru Ban Awarded 2026 AIA Gold Medal for Sustainable Architecture and Humanitarian Work
By
Tom Ravenscroft
Crisp on the outside, thoughtful on the inside. A keeper.
Summary
Japanese architect Shigeru Ban has been awarded the 2026 American Institute of Architects Gold Medal, the AIA's highest honor. Ban is recognized for his pioneering work using humble, renewable materials like cardboard and paper tubes in architecture, as well as his humanitarian efforts providing disaster relief shelters. He becomes the fourth Japanese architect to receive this prestigious award, following Fumihiko Maki, Tadao Ando, and Kenzo Tange. The article highlights Ban's notable projects including the Cardboard Cathedral in New Zealand and his innovative approach to sustainable design.
Key quotes
· 5 pulledJapanese architect Shigeru Ban, who designed the Cardboard Cathedral in New Zealand, has won the 2026 American Institute of Architects Gold Medal.
Ban becomes the fourth Japanese architect, following Fumihiko Maki, Tadao Ando and Kenzo Tange, to win the gold medal, which is the AIA's highest honour.
He was given the honour in recognition of his work developing the use of unus
The article would likely continue with details about his pioneering use of humble, renewable materials like cardboard and paper tubes in architecture.
The content would also mention his humanitarian work providing disaster relief shelters using sustainable materials.
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