Riken Yamamoto has been awarded the 2024 Pritzker Architecture Prize, marking a significant achievement in his distinguished career. The Pritzker Prize is internationally regarded as the highest honor in the field of architecture, recognizing Yamamoto’s profound impact on community and urban development through his architectural works. His designs are celebrated for their thoughtful integration of public and private spaces, fostering communal living while respecting individual privacy. Yamamoto’s approach redefines traditional concepts of freedom and privacy in urban settings, emphasizing the importance of communal support and shared spaces.

Some of Yamamoto’s key projects include the Future University of Hakodate, which is designed with glass-lined classrooms and open common areas to encourage interaction and connectivity among students and faculty. Ecoms House in Tosu showcases his innovative use of aluminum as a flexible and sustainable building material. The Jian Wai SOHO in Beijing, a vast residential complex, combines living spaces with home offices, promoting a blend of work and life. The Yokosuka Museum of Art, with its inviting entrance and underground galleries, offers visitors undisturbed views of the surrounding landscape, while the Fussa City Hall in Tokyo features two cubic volumes designed to complement the low-rise architectural context of its neighborhood.

Yamamoto is the ninth Japanese architect to receive the Pritzker Prize, following in the footsteps of notable predecessors such as Arata Isozaki, Shigeru Ban, and Toyo Ito. His work is characterized by a dedication to enhancing community life, whether through housing projects, civic buildings, or educational institutions. His designs consistently aim to dignify, enhance, and enrich individual lives and their social connections, employing a clear architectural language that fosters spontaneous interactions and social engagements.

This recognition not only honors Yamamoto’s contributions to architecture and society but also underscores the importance of designing spaces that promote community cohesion and interactive living environments.


Yokosuka Museum of Art




Fussa City Hall




Jianwai SHOHO and CCTV Headquarters




Hishi Fire Station




Kumamoto Prefectural Hotakubo Daiichi Housing Complex

Angkor Wat



The architecture of India has had a profound influence on the architectural traditions of neighboring Asian countries, reflecting the spread of Indian culture, religion, and trade over the centuries. This influence can be observed in various regions, including Southeast Asia, Central Asia, and the Far East, through the transmission of Hinduism, Buddhism, and other elements of Indian culture. Key aspects of this influence include:

Southeast Asia

Hindu and Buddhist Temples: Countries like Cambodia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam exhibit significant Indian influence in their ancient temples and structures. The temple complex of Angkor Wat in Cambodia, originally dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu, is a prime example of Indian architectural principles adapted to local styles and needs. Similarly, the Borobudur Temple in Indonesia, the world’s largest Buddhist temple, reflects Indian Buddhist architectural ideas integrated with local craftsmanship.

Urban Planning and Monument Construction:** The ancient city of Ayutthaya in Thailand, although showcasing a unique Thai architectural identity, was influenced by Indian concepts of urban planning and religious architecture.

Central Asia

Buddhist Monasteries and Stupas: The spread of Buddhism from India to Central Asia led to the establishment of Buddhist monasteries and stupas, especially along the Silk Road. These structures, found in regions that are now part of modern-day Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan, often incorporated Indian architectural elements, such as the dome-shaped stupas that were derived from Indian stupas like the Great Stupa at Sanchi.

Far East

China and Japan: The transmission of Buddhism to China and subsequently to Japan also carried with it Indian architectural concepts. The pagoda, an evolution of the Indian stupa, is a notable example. In China, pagodas were initially built to house Buddhist relics and scriptures brought from India. The architectural style of these pagodas gradually evolved, incorporating local elements. In Japan, the influence is evident in the design of Buddhist temples, such as the Horyu-ji Temple, one of the country’s oldest temples, which shows the adaptation of Indian Buddhist architecture to Japanese aesthetic and materials.

Indonesia and Malaysia

Majapahit and Srivijaya Kingdoms:** In Indonesia, the architecture of the Majapahit Kingdom (1293–1527 CE) and the earlier Srivijaya Kingdom shows Indian influences in their temple architecture and urban planning. The ancient Malaysian city of Malacca, influenced by the trading relationships with Indian kingdoms, also exhibits elements of Indian architectural design in its early structures.

The spread of Indian architecture to neighboring Asian countries was not merely a one-way transmission but a dynamic exchange that led to the emergence of unique, hybrid architectural styles. Local cultures assimilated Indian architectural and urban planning concepts, adapting them to local conditions, materials, and cultural needs, resulting in rich and diverse architectural traditions across Asia.


Ashokan Pillar in Vaishali




Giant Swing and Wat Suthat




Hoa Lai Towers in Ninh Thuan Province




Hongsalmun of Heolleung Royal Tomb




Masjid Ubadiah Showcasing Elements of Indo Saracenic Style




Paifang




Po Klong Garai Temple near Phan Rang




Prambanan an example of Indionesian Temple




Prasat Bayan Jayagiri Brahma Palace




Spinx of Naxos at Delhi




Temples of Bagan




Torii Path leading to Fushimi Inari Taisha




Trumurti Pambanan Temple Yogyakarta




Wat Chaiwatthanaram an example of Thai Style

12th Century Torana at Parshvanatha Temple Jaisalmer Fort




The architecture of India is rooted in its history, culture, and religion. Indian architecture evolved in various eras, reflecting the complex and diverse history of the subcontinent. From ancient times through the medieval period to modern times, Indian architecture has seen a wide range of influences and styles.

India after Independence

After gaining independence in 1947, India embarked on a journey to forge a new architectural identity. The period following independence saw a blend of traditional Indian aesthetics with modern design principles, leading to the development of what is often referred to as the Modernist movement in Indian architecture. This era was marked by the works of architects like Le Corbusier, who designed the city of Chandigarh, and Louis Kahn, known for the design of the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad. These developments were in line with Nehru’s vision of a modern India, integrating advanced technologies and design methodologies while respecting cultural heritage.

Landscape Architecture

Landscape architecture in India combines natural elements with architectural practices, aiming to create harmonious outdoor spaces. It encompasses garden design, public parks, and the planning of urban green spaces, reflecting India’s diverse flora and the importance of nature in Indian culture. The historical Mughal gardens, such as those seen in the Taj Mahal, are early examples of landscape architecture in India, showcasing the integration of man-made and natural elements.

Arches

Arches are a significant element in Indian architecture, symbolizing both structural and aesthetic aspects. They are found in various forms and styles across the historical spectrum of Indian architecture, from the Islamic arches of Mughal monuments, such as the Buland Darwaza in Fatehpur Sikri, to the decorative arches in Hindu temple architecture. Arches not only served as an architectural feature but also as a means to support structures, allowing the creation of large spans and the complex interplay of light and shadow in buildings.

Indian architecture, with its rich diversity, reflects the country’s complex cultural fabric. From the ancient stepwells and temples to the colonial-era buildings and modern skyscrapers, the architectural landscape of India tells the story of a nation that has constantly evolved while staying rooted in its past.


Arches of Diwan I Khas Red Fort Delhi




Char Bagh Garden Rajastan




Dropped Keystone King Edward VII Arch Victoria Memorial




Lal Bagh Bengaluru




Lotus Temple Delhi Fari Borz Salhba




Nashat Bagh Srinagar




Nav Toran Temple Neemuch Madhya Pradesh




Pari Mahal




Post and Intel Construction Trabeate Style of Airavatesvara Temple India




Rear Side of North Torana of Stupa 1 at Sanchi Hill 3rd Century BCE to 1st Century BCE India




Reserve Bank of India RBI Building Kolkata Sir Rajen Mookherjee




Secretariat Building Chandigarh Le Corbusier




Stateman House New Delhi Sir Edwin Lutyans and Sir Herbert Baker




T Delhi J.K. Choudhury




The Athpula Eight Piers Bridge in Lodi Gardens




Torana from the 12th Century Kakatiya Dynasty at Warangal Fort India




Torana in Sas Bahu Temple Udaipur




Torana of the 10th Century Muktesvara Deula India




Victorian Gothic Arches in Chhatrapiti Shivaji Terminus Mumbai




Waterfall at Rock Garden Chandigarh