Ryue Nishizawa

Japanese architect

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 19, 2026

Quick Summary

Ryue Nishizawa is a Japanese architect, co-founder of the firm SANAA with Kazuyo Sejima. They are renowned for designs characterized by refined simplicity, fluid spaces, and integration with their surroundings. In 2010, they received the prestigious Pritzker Prize.

Nishizawa, along with Sejima, established SANAA in 1995. Their work, including the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art in Kanazawa, emphasizes a design philosophy where a structure is not considered complete until it is inhabited, focusing on social use and adaptability. They have undertaken significant international commissions, contributing to a global portfolio of innovative architectural projects. Nishizawa also maintains his own practice for smaller-scale projects.1

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

5 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa
Nishizawa, a student who had also worked for Ito, was one of her first hires. The office gradually developed a national reputation, with Sejima winning the Young Architect of the Year award from the Japanese Institute of Architects in 1992. Not long after, Nishizawa, who…
Read More
Nishizawa, a student who had also worked for Ito, was one of her first hires. The office gradually developed a national reputation, with Sejima winning the Young Architect of the Year award from the Japanese Institute of Architects in 1992. Not long after, Nishizawa, who…
Read More