Kazuyo Sejima and Associates (1987–1995) SANAA (since 1995)
Kazuyo Sejima (妹島 和世, Sejima Kazuyo, born 29 October 1956) is a
Japanesearchitect and director of her own firm, Kazuyo Sejima & Associates. In 1995, she co-founded the firm
SANAA (Sejima + Nishizawa & Associates). In 2010, Sejima was the second woman to receive the
Pritzker Prize, which was awarded jointly with Nishizawa.[1] They were only the second partnership to be honored with this prize.
Early life and education
Sejima was born on 29 October 1956 in
Mito, Ibaraki, Japan. She graduated from
Japan Women's University in 1979. She then went on to complete the Master's Degree course in architecture in 1981. In the same year, she began working with the architecture firm Toyo Ito and Associates until 1987.[2]
Career
After apprenticing with
Toyo Ito, Sejima established Kazuyo Sejima & Associates in 1987. One of her first hires was
Ryue Nishizawa, a student who had worked with Sejima at Toyo Ito and Associates.[3] After working for Sejima for several years, Sejima asked him to form a partnership. In 1995, the two founded the
Tokyo-based firm
SANAA (Sejima and Nishizawa and Associates).[citation needed] In 2010, Sejima was appointed director of architecture sector for the
Venice Biennale, which she curated for the 12th Annual International Architecture Exhibition. She was the first woman ever selected for this position.[4] In 2010, she was awarded the
Pritzker Prize, together with Ryue Nishizawa.[5]
Major works
Saishunkan Seiyaku Women's Dormitory,
Kumamoto, Japan (1990-1991)[6]
Competition for Nasunogahara Harmony Hall (1991)[6]
Competition for Chuya Nakahara Memorial Museum (1992)[6]
1992 – Second Prize, Commercial Space Design Award[2]
1995 – Kenneth F. Brown Asia Pacific Culture and Architecture Design Award, the University of Hawaii (for Saishunkan Seiyaku Women’s Dormitory) 98oi[2]