Japanese architect Ryue Nishizawa is founding partner, with Kazuyo Sejima, of SANAA, established in 1995. He has maintained a parallel independent office since 1997. SANAA is recognised for international institutional projects such as the Zollverein School of Management and Design in Essen, Germany; the Toledo Museum of Art Glass Pavilion in Toledo, Ohio; and most recently, the New Museum of Contemporary Art in New York City. Nishizawa’s independent practice is focused primarily on projects in Japan that develop new models for urban living. He holds a master’s degree in architecture from Yokohama National University in Tokyo, and has been a visiting professor at Harvard Graduate School of Design, Princeton University, University of Southern California, Yokohama National University, and others. He has received numerous awards including the Kunstpreis Berlin (2007) and a Golden Lion at the Venice Biennale (2004). SANAA’s work is the subject of exhibitions at the Henry Art Gallery, Washington State University (2007), and the New Museum (2008). Some Ideas on Living in London and Tokyo at the CCA marks the first presentation of work by Ryue Nishizawa’s office in North America.

Ryue Nishizawa website

Photo by Michel Boulet © Canadian Centre for Architecture.