Dezeen Showroom: stone-look tiles are given a detailed 3D surface treatment in Italian brand Marazzi‘s Mystone Berici collection, which includes a floral decor option.
Designed for walls and floors, the Mystone Berici tile collection is based on the look of a calcareous stone quarried near Vicenza, Italy.
Mystone Berici tiles have the look of stone
The collection is available in four neutral colours that are given depth through patterning and a 3D surface texture that makes it look like they are embedded with realistic shells, microfossils and ancient debris.
Also key to the collection is the Flora decor tile, which features a textured leafy floral pattern.
They are available in a floral decor option with a detailed relief texture
The effect is achieved using Marazzi’s 3D Ink together with the company’s Touch technology, where glossy and matt grits are used to create a detailed relief surface.
The Mystone Berici collection is available in a range of formats including large-scale slabs. There is also a choice of anti-slip finishes and outdoor options.
Material: Porcelain stoneware Colours/finishes: Bianco, Beige, Grigio and Cenere Dimensions: 1600 x 3200, 1200 x 2780, 1200 x 1200, 750 x 1500, 600 x 1200, 750 x 750 or 600 x 600 millimetres
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At IFA 2024, we spotted a trend that may or may not be here to stay, but it did win our hearts. We came across a bunch of super adorable mini-washing machines. Roborock’s Zeo Mini M1 features a compact little body, soft curves, and downright cute plumpness. Of course, the model cannot be compared to traditional washer-dryers and their capacity, but it can handle one kilogram of laundry for washing, and only 500 grams for drying. It has a pretty small drum, which must be noted.
Even though the machine has a small load, it has some intelligent features such as automatic drying, if you forget to unload the machine after washing, and detergent dispensing. It is an all-in-one solution that merges the convenience and size of a small washing machine, with the efficiency of a dryer. The cutesy washing machine can accommodate 25 pairs of lightweight underwear, 15 pieces of bras, and 80 pairs of socks simultaneously, so it could serve well for the everyday requirements of a contemporary family.
The M1’s engine is a DD variable frequency direct drive motor and it can rotate up to 4000 times per minute, with the air flowing up to 18kph. The motor runs pretty quietly, creating only 45dB of noise, and it can run overnight. It also includes a 90°C self-cleaning mode. The washing machine is essentially an auxiliary device, with the ability to handle fragile items of laundry that you don’t want to pop into your bigger washing machine. It functions as a companion to your primary washing machine, allowing you to fit in pieces of clothing that are too soft and gentle for a big load.
The Roborock Zeo Mini M1 isn’t currently available for sale, but it should arrive in the country soon for a price of around $660. Would you consider purchasing the M1? Is such a compact solution viable in today’s homes, or is it yet another unnecessary luxury that we could probably do without? We’ll probably know once it is out on the market.
The word that perfectly defines me, and is a major part of my identity is ‘Bibliophile’. I’m a bibliophile through and through! Give me a good book, and I’ll be tucked away in a corner with it for hours on end, completely detached from reality and immersed in the fictional world. My love for books means I own a lot of them, and I love coming across functional and adorable products that make my reading experience smoother and more fun. We’ve curated a collection of clever and must-have products that every bibliophile needs in their arsenal. From a transparent bookmark that holds your book open for you at all times, to a nifty reading light you can clip onto your book – these fun yet functional products will improve your reading experience by manifolds.
1. Bookish Bookmark
This ingenious little design is called the Bookish Bookmark, and it provides you with a smooth and hands-free reading session, ensuring your book stays open while you read it. You don’t need to adopt any uncomfortable workarounds to keep your book open while reading or performing other tasks while doing so. It has a clear transparent design, making it great for those who follow cookbooks while preparing meals.
If you’re a true blue bibliophile, and you like to display your books at home, then the Bookish Bookmark is the product for you. You can keep your book open, adding an aesthetically pleasing element to your desk, coffee table, or bookshelf on account of its transparent design.
What we like
Lets you showcase your beloved books in an organized and attractive style
What we dislike
The bookmark seems to be too large for small books and isn’t an ideal option for those who like small and subtle bookmarks
2. Japanese Lantern Candle
If you like spending your evenings curled up with your favorite book in the warm light of a candle, then you may want to consider purchasing the Japanese Lantern Candle. This beautiful little candle is inspired by the Japanese ‘chouchin’ lantern, and it offers some soft yet generous illumination to your reading sessions.
The Japanese Lantern Candle draws inspiration from the iconic Japanese lantern design. The age-old lantern was modernized, creating a surreal lighting solution with a calming glow. The product is handcrafted by artisans in Kurashiki, Japan, making it a veritable collectible.
What we like
The outer wax doesn’t melt too fast, creating a clear body on the lantern candle
What we dislike
The candle does have an open flame, so make sure you don’t place your books too close to it, for fear of catching fire
3. Bowie 2.0
Every book lover needs a trustworthy and dependable reading light, and I do swear by Bowie 2.0. This clever reading light not only offers illumination to the pages of your book but the room as well. The light looks like a leather fashion accessory, that you can easily clip onto the left and right sides of your book cover.
Why is it noteworthy?
The light’s strap features LEDs, which offer a soft and warm glow, that is powerful enough to let you read in the dark. The strap illuminates the pages with a warm LED light, allowing you to read easily and peacefully. You can turn the pages and move about without the light causing any issues.
What we like
Equipped with touch-sensitive brightness settings, that let you adjust the LED brightness
What we dislike
Some people may find it inconvenient and annoying to hold a book with a clipped-on reading light
4. The Ptolomeo Bookshelf
Created by Bruno Rainaldi, the Ptolomeo Bookshelf is a beautiful ode to books, and the people who love to read. The bookshelf is designed especially for bibliophiles, serving as a rejuvenated and refreshing variant of the traditional bookshelf. The revamped design converts an everyday bookshelf into a fascinating design object, bordering on an art piece.
Why is it noteworthy?
The bookshelf is freestanding, amped by a clean and minimal form, which disappears or becomes ‘invisible’ as you fill it up with books! Ptolomeo’s thin and narrow shelves seem to vanish once you place books in them. The mesmerizing piece creates the impression of a stack of books floating in the air.
What we like
The bookshelf seems to “mock the law of gravity”, creating a playful illusion
Functional and sturdy furniture piece, plus amped with good aesthetics
What we dislike
It is a large and space-consuming piece, not well-suited for smaller homes
5. Reference Bookend
Designed by Henry Julier, the Reference is a minimal and classy bookend, designed for those who love to showcase their favorite books. The bookend was created to be a problem-solving tool, facilitating greater connections between the product, and the people who use it. The bookend features a round top flange offering users enough material to hold onto while adding books and adjusting it.
Why is it noteworthy?
Light bookends are tough to adjust with heavy books, hence the Reference was created to function as a sturdy, heavy, and stiff sheet steel bookend that doesn’t need downward pressure to firmly hold onto the books. The Reference Bookend is also quite easy to pick up and put down as and when needed, owing to its unique form.
What we like
The sturdy form that holds the books without any external pressure or support
What we dislike
The aesthetics of the bookend are pretty somber and sober, and may not appeal to everyone’s tastes
Why You Should Embrace Electric Vehicles Despite the News?
Electric mobility is no longer just a futuristic concept—it’s a vibrant reality that’s transforming the automotive industry. Despite negative reports and doubts, there are compelling reasons to make the switch to an electric vehicle (EV). Here’s why:
Advancements in Technology: Modern EVs come with impressive advancements in battery life, performance, and overall reliability. Many concerns about limited range and slow charging are being addressed with each new model.
Growing Charging Infrastructure: Europe’s charging network has significantly improved, making it increasingly convenient to charge your EV. Don’t let outdated information deter you; the infrastructure is constantly evolving.
Long-Term Savings: EVs often come with lower running costs compared to traditional internal combustion engine vehicles, including savings on fuel and maintenance.
Enjoy Your Holidays with an Electric Car
Thinking of taking your EV on a road trip? Go for it! Here’s why you should feel confident:
Eco-Friendly Travel: Traveling with an EV not only reduces your carbon footprint but also contributes to a greener future. Make your vacations not just memorable, but also environmentally responsible.
Well-Developed Charging Network: Europe boasts an extensive network of charging stations, especially in popular travel destinations. Your journey across countries should be smoother than ever.
Experience the Journey: Embrace the adventure of an electric road trip. Modern EVs are designed for long-distance travel, and with strategic planning, you’ll find charging stations conveniently located along your route.
Addressing Common Concerns: Charging Infrastructure and More
High-Power Charging Stations: Although 22kW charging points are becoming more common, they can be less efficient than higher-capacity options. Prioritize finding fast-charging stations to minimize downtime.
Varied Experiences: Your personal experience with EV charging might differ from what you read in the news. Reports of long waits or difficulties often focus on isolated cases rather than the norm.
DIY Research: Conduct your own research and talk to other EV owners. Their insights can be invaluable in planning your trips and managing your expectations.
In summary, electric mobility is an exciting and increasingly practical choice. Don’t let outdated reports or isolated issues dissuade you. With ongoing improvements and a growing support network, EVs offer a thrilling, eco-friendly way to travel and enjoy your adventures. Embrace the change, and have fun with your electric journey!
From a canyon-like podium for the man effigy to a solar-powered battery library for artists, here are 10 large-scale installations from this year’s Burning Man festival in Nevada captured by photographer Gurpreet Chawla.
Teams of artists, designers and volunteers gathered with thousands of visitors for the yearly Burning Man event, constructing inhabitations, art and music infrastructure.
Materials are brought in to construct installations, including the massive temple and effigy, which are designed by different teams every year and are burned at the end of the festival.
“Whether during sunrise, daytime, sunset or night; clear skies or dust storms – the playa gives a wonderful range of conditions to see these works of art, and having a camera nearby to capture these moments is a dream for many a photographer,” photographer and yearly attendee Gurpreet Chawla told Dezeen.
“These pieces are not just impressive because of superlatives,” Chawla said.
“Standing in front of the pieces every year, the ingenuity of the idea takes me and its design, the architectural vision and serious engineering that preceded its journey to playa, and if you can make it to build week – the complex logistics and construction work that goes into making them a reality,” he added.
“And all of this to stand stoically in the desert, waiting to be discovered.”
The work ranges from the sculptural to the functional, and the materials used vary widely. Some incorporate technology such as massive screens and pyrotechnics, while others are made almost entirely from wood.
Read on to see 10 stand-out architectural installations from Burning Man 2024.
Sonapse by O2 Treehouse, James Lucey, and Jameson Hubbs
Sonapse was a 12-foot-tall (3.5 metres) treehouse in the middle of the desert. It was designed to give views of the desert and surrounding mountains during the day while providing respite and shade.
At night, speakers arrayed around the structure were placed to create “vibroacoustic bass floor soundbaths” and LEDs were placed on the canopy to align with the music.
The Solar Library by Joey Ficklin
An Austin, Texas-based team created this “sculptural charging infrastructure” with an array of solar panels on top.
Inside, space was given to artists to charge batteries in order to power their art installation to try and reduce the amount of gasoline generators used during the fair.
AlchemEyes by House of Fabl, Hunter Leggitt, Jonathan Berry & PhotonicBliss
This installation consisted of three 36-foot-tall (11 metres) double-sided panels equipped with graphics depicting eyes.
It was supported by a central column with suspension cables. A series of LED lights hung from the centre, resembling a “chandelier”, according to the designers.
The Radial Sonic Runway by The Runway Crew
For the Radial Sonic Runway, the team created 25 “gateways” that stretched into the horizon, meant to be walked or biked through.
LEDs were placed around the circular metal structures and were programmed to correspond to sound being picked up from people and machines around the structure.
Anti-Gravitational Chamber by Intergalactic Confederation
This sculptural installation included a series of carved obelisks placed around a central structure with a star-shaped base.
According to the designers, it was created to “demonstrate that impossibility is merely a matter of perspective”.
Nova Heaven by Omri Sasi and Sarel Botavia
This massive, colourful canopy was designed as a tribute to those killed during the Super Nova Festival and two other music events on 7 October 2023 in Israel.
The geometric canopy is a replica of the shade structure that was central to that festival.
Coney McConeface: The Life and Death of a Traffic Cone by Chris “Kiwi” Hankins, ConeCophony Collective
This installation was a 60-foot-tall (18-metre) replica of the classic traffic cone. The team said it was a “homage to the unsung hero” used as a safety measure in cities.
According to its designers, the cone was placed on top of a crack in the desert that spews steam because of geothermic activity.
(Middle Path) Bridge (Between Heaven and Earth) by See See Kwan and the Dream Team
This wooden bridge was built with a platform in the middle that supports a central metal box.
Its design was based on a number of symbols, including the Yin and Yang symbol from Chinese Daoism.
The design chosen for this year’s yearly temple combines elements of church architecture and Lebanese weaving techniques in a complex wooden form.
California-based artist Caroline Ghosn collaborated with architect Maissa Sader of Kamai Studio to design a structure that features a series of chambers with a central, lit column that extends skywards.
This year’s design for the base of the effigy was designed as a series of elevated pathways made from wood.
“For those inclined towards gathering, the design also utilizes negative space – the center, beneath the structure, remains open for congregation, featuring interconnected benches and seating,” said Lewin.
“This aspect underscores the interplay between interior and exterior spaces. It’s about form, but equally about the spaces in between.”
Burning Man took place from 25 August to 2 September in Black Rock City, Nevada. See Dezeen Events Guide for an up-to-date list of architecture and design events taking place around the world.
Paint brand Dulux has revealed an “uplifting” bright yellow colour called True Joy as its Colour of the Year for 2025.
True Joy was chosen for its bold and sunny disposition that adds a sense of cheerfulness to interiors, according to Dulux.
Dulux has announced a bright yellow named True Joy for its Colour of the Year 2025
“Dulux Colour of the Year 2025 True Joy is an uplifting yellow – a bright and positive colour that brings optimism, pride and imagination to homes and commercial spaces,” the brand’s senior colour designer Dawn Scott told Dezeen.
“It was chosen to inspire people to leap out of their comfort zone, to just go for it and feel confident.”
The sunny colour aims to evoke optimism and creativity
Dulux worked with trend forecast researchers ColourFutures to choose the 2025 Colour of the Year. The company’s analysis across design, architecture, journalism and technology found three trends to base the colour selection on.
“This year, our global trend forecast highlighted three major trends: the excitement of making a joyful leap into the unknown, the celebration of handmade craftsmanship and the re-embrace of heritage,” said Scott.
“These themes have informed our choice of True Joy, along with the colour yellow more generally, creating a collection that helps you design spaces where people can feel inspired to pursue new horizons, connect with human creativity and feel rooted in their identities.”
Dulux collaborated with ColourFutures to chose the colour
Scott hopes the sunny hue will provoke feelings of human connection and motivate people to make bolder colour choices.
“True Joy will likely define the year by resonating deeply with our collective desire for change and reconnection,” she said.
Three colour palettes incorporating True Joy were created
“As we move into an era dominated by technology and AI, this colour will inspire us to embrace new frontiers, encouraging spaces that are both adventurous and spontaneous,” Scott added.
“It will also reflect our growing appreciation for human creativity and craftsmanship, grounding us in environments filled with earthy, handmade touches that reconnect us with our humanity.”
Three complementary colour palettes were also revealed alongside True Joy to offer suggested colour pairings for interiors.
The Bold Colour Story palette contrasts True Joy with bright blues and oranges, designed to be used in education and office interiors to encourage creativity.
Dulux suggested pairing the bright yellow with neutral shades from the Human Colour Story
The Human Colour Story features more neutral shades of wood and clay, aiming to reflect raw materials in artisanal craftsmanship and add warmth to education and healthcare settings.
Deep tones of brown and green characterise the Proud Colour Story palette, which was created for hospitality and residential spaces to create a welcoming atmosphere.
The Proud Colour Story combines True Joy with deep hues
Scott described True Joy as a striking and exciting contrast to the subtler hues that came before it.
The rich tones of the Proud Colour Story aim to create a welcoming interior
“Where Sweet Embrace provided warmth and comfort, creating spaces that made people feel at ease during uncertain times, the yellow of this year encourages a joyful leap into new horizons,” Scott explained.
“It’s a bold and uplifting colour that reflects a shift from seeking simplicity and calm to embracing adventure and creativity.”
London-based artist Suh Do Ho has collaborated with electronics brand LG OLED to create digital versions of his late father Suh Se Ok’s abstract ink paintings, as revealed in this exclusive video produced by Dezeen.
Titled “Suh Se Ok X LG OLED: Reimagined by Suh Do Ho, Shaped by Suh Eul Ho” the presentation debuted at Frieze art fair in Seoul.
Suh Do Ho collaborated with LG OLED to present digital versions of his late father Suh Se Ok’s abstract ink paintings
The exhibition space was designed by Suh Do Ho’s brother, architect Suh Eul Ho, and was created to celebrate the life of their father Suh Se Ok, an artist and pioneer of modern Korean ink abstraction.
Suh Do Ho drew on his and his brother’s experiences of watching their father paint abstract figures to create digital versions of his original works, which emphasise the movements of his painting process.
The exhibit included a semi-transparent fabric installation at the entrance
The exhibition’s centrepiece was an installation composed of eight transparent OLED TVs, which presented the digitally reimagined works by Suh Do Ho.
LG OLED’s transparent TV was first revealed at CES 2024. The technology uses self-lighting pixels to create a transparent display that can reveal objects behind it.
The focal point of the exhibit was an installation composed of eight transparent OLED TVs
Called LG OLED T, the technology was utilised in the exhibition to enhance the transparency of the digital art and accentuate the movement of the works.
Suh Se Ok created over 3,290 works during his 70-year career and drew inspiration from calligraphy and poetry to create ink abstractions that reflect the human experience.
LG OLED’s transparent technology uses self-lighting pixels to create a transparent display
The exhibit also featured Suh Se Ok’s original paintings and a semi-transparent fabric installation at the entrance, designed to create an immersive experience.
LG OLED’s next presentation will be at Frieze London, which runs from 9 to 13 October in Regent’s Park.
The photography is by LG Electronics.
Frieze Seoul took place from 4 to 7 September in Seoul. See Dezeen Events Guide for an up-to-date list of architecture and design events taking place around the world.
Partnership content
This article was written by Dezeen as part of a partnership with LG OLED. Find out more about Dezeen partnership content here.
Architecture curator Manijeh Verghese has been announced as the CEO of Open City, which runs the Open House London festival. In this exclusive interview, she explains her plans for the educational charity.
Verghese, who was announced as Open City‘s new CEO today, wants the organisation to focus on changing cities for the better.
“Open City has this potential through their incredible reach”
“In my experience, both professionally and through my own lived experience as a South Asian woman, I’m very aware that cities are shaped by a powerful few,” she told Dezeen.
“I really think that Open City has this potential, through their incredible reach and the ways in which they engage the public, to really become a space where we can test guidance and run workshops and disseminate projects across the whole of London,” Verghese added.
“[It can] have a direct impact, therefore, on how all Londoners can shape their city.”
Trained as an architect, Verghese was keen to take on the role as she believes that the charity’s mission aligns with her own and will allow her to build on her previous roles, which have been largely focused on creating more equitable cities.
Manijeh Verghese (top image) co-curated the 2021 British Pavilion (above)
Before moving to Open City, Verghese was head of public engagement at London’s Architectural Association, where she developed its free public programme.
She has acted as a London Mayor Design Advocate since 2022 and believes that Open City can play a more active role in how the city as a whole develops.
“I’ve really been inspired by the work of Open City and its mission to make the city more open, accessible and equitable for a long time,” she said. “It really chimed well with what’s driven my career to date, as I’ve really been trying to engage, educate, empower people in terms of how they can shape their cities and spaces.”
“I am really keen coming into this role to build on my experience as a mayor’s design advocate at the GLA [Greater London Authority] and develop Open City, which is already an advocate organisation with the GLA, to its full potential.”
“The festival is the backbone of the whole organisation”
At the heart of the Open City organisation is the Open House London event, which sees around 800 buildings opened up to the public each year, with over 200,000 visitors attending.
Although these weekends are hugely important, Verghese wants to develop the charity’s surrounding year-long program and ensure that people understand and engage with its full offering.
“The festival is the backbone of the whole organisation – it is very much where it started and now engages around a quarter of a million people,” she explained.
“It’s what shapes the enormous reach that Open City has and it’s something that really democratises access to architecture in our built environment, so it’s definitely really important,” she added.
“But what I’m really interested in is how to better connect all the different things Open City is doing together. I think a lot of the people who experience the festival don’t always see how that connects to education programs like Accelerate and It’s My City Too! or the tours, events and podcasts that run the other 360 or so days of the year.”
Charity focused on “really empowering the public to shape their city”
She believes that Open City’s strength lies in the fact that it engages with so many members of the public, something that architects often struggle to do.
“It’s amazing that there are so many different organisations and initiatives that are providing more expansive ways to understand architecture,” she said. “But the thing that sets Open City apart is that it’s not catering to an audience of just architects.”
“It’s very much focused on really empowering the public to shape their city, be involved in their city, engage with their city – and that’s what makes it so exciting,” she continued.
“I’ve worked in and around architecture for a long time but it’s mainly been speaking to architects or related disciplines. I’m really excited to actually get to work with people who live in London and live in other cities and or even beyond cities, and get them to think about the role architecture plays in their lives.”
Under Verghese’s curation, the British Pavilion explored the design of public spaces
In what she describes as Open City’s “next chapter”, Verghese will aim to capitalise on this public engagement to make an impact on London.
“When Open City grew beyond the festival, what was really smart is that all their activities are linked together with this desire to democratise and open up access to who can be part of conversations about the city, whether that’s visiting a building or going on a tour or being part of a conversation,” she said.
“I’m keen to really think, in this next chapter, what are ways to turn those things into action? How does it start to shape policy, to inform projects, to maybe even change things at the scale of infrastructure?”
People can be “active agents to change the city”
Verghese believes that change is needed following several difficult years with the Covid-19 pandemic and cost of living crisis meaning that people feel disconnected from the city.
“It feels increasingly important that people feel like they have some agency to tackle issues and have a way to make their voices heard,” she explained.
“I think learning about the city is hugely important and necessary in order to understand where your agency, individually and collectively, lies,” she continued.
“That’s where architecture can be quite powerful in that it gives you all these tools to think about the ways we can work together to change our reality and our city. I’m really keen that we can see ourselves as active agents to change the city.”
Although Open City began in London, it now operates in around 60 cities around the world and Verghese is keen to utilise this to build connections.
“Increasingly, the world is becoming more divided,” she said. “So it feels like a really great opportunity to create connections, to connect people around the world and develop strategies to face the challenges we might have ahead of us.”
“I really see the festival as a kind of connecting device. So I think a lot of how I see my role is working with the team to think about ways this can connect together but also how we can tell a really compelling and coherent narrative to the different audiences that Open City has.”
The photos of the British Pavilion are by Cristiano Corte and the portrait of Manijeh Verghese by Elena Andreea Teleaga.
Open House London takes place across London from 14 – 22 September 2024. See Dezeen Events Guide for an up-to-date list of architecture and design events taking place around the world.
The 140 longlisted projects, which are in the running for awards in nine different interior project categories, are by studios located across 32 different countries, including Colombia, Finland, Mexico, Kazakhstan, Thailand and Hong Kong.
The top six project city locations are London with 22 longlisted entries, followed by Tokyo with nine, Shanghai and New York tied with seven, Barcelona with six and Paris with five.
All Dezeen Awards 2024 longlists revealed this week
Dezeen Awards 2024, in partnership with Bentley, will reveal all longlisted projects this week. The architecture longlist was revealed yesterday and the design longlist will be announced tomorrow, followed by the sustainability longlist on Thursday.
“I’m delighted to return as a judge for Dezeen Awards, and support Bentley’s commitment to championing great design,” said Chris Cooke, head of design collaborations at Bentley.
“For me, one of the highlights of this year’s interiors longlist is the thoughtful connection to nature in many of the projects, fostering a sense of harmony between the built environment and the natural world.”
Longlisted projects have been selected from over 4,130 entries from 82 countries for the seventh edition of our awards programmes, which continues to champion design excellence and showcase innovation from architects and designers around the globe.
Top image: 2023 Melbourne Winter Masterpieces – Pierre Bonnard by India Mahdavi. Photo by Lillie Thompson. Above: Aesop Diagonal by Mesura. Photo by Maxime Delvaux
The next stage of Dezeen Awards 2024 will see all longlisted projects assessed by our international jury of leading professionals, including interior designers Bobby Berk, Brigette Romanek, Patricia Urquiola and Andre Herrero.
Our 90 judges will determine the projects that feature on the shortlists, which will be announced in October. A further round of judging by our master jury will determine each winner, the overall project of the year winners, and the Bentley Lighthouse Award winner.
Dezeen Awards 2024 party tickets on sale
Winners will be announced at the annual Dezeen Awards party in London on Tuesday 26 November. Tickets for the party are now available to purchase. Click the link here to find out more and get your tickets now!
Dezeen Awards is the ultimate accolade for architects and designers across the globe. The seventh edition of the annual awards programme is in partnership with Bentley as part of a wider collaboration to inspire, support and champion design excellence and showcase innovation that creates a better and more sustainable world. This ambition complements Bentley’s architecture and design business initiatives, including the Bentley Home range of furnishings and real estate projects around the world.
Japanese architect Shigeru Ban has been named the architecture laureate for this year’s Praemium Imperiale awards by the Japan Art Association.
The Praemium Imperiale is an annual global arts prize that celebrates creatives in the fields of architecture, painting, sculpture, music, theatre and film.
Shigeru Ban has won the 2024 Praemium Imperiale for architecture
Ban, who leads architecture studio Shigeru Ban Architects, was selected for the 2024 Praemium Imperial award for his contributions to the field of architecture and wins the 15-million-yen prize.
The architect, who is known for his work in disaster relief, was described by the Japan Art Association as having “fulfilled his mission as an architect in times of peace as well as in times of emergency”.
The Centre Pompidou-Metz in France is among his most famous buildings
Born in Tokyo in 1957, Ban studied at the Southern California Institute of Architecture and the Cooper Union School of Architecture before opening his own practice in Japan in 1985.
Alongside his cultural buildings, the Japan Art Association praised Ban for his contribution to disaster relief programmes and the establishment of the non-profit organisation Voluntary Architects Network (VAN) in 1995.
Often working with wood, paper or bamboo, Ban has designed several structures for use as emergency housing, which include the Paper Log House, a shelter created as a prototype for victims of natural disasters following a devastating earthquake in Morocco last year.
Shigeru Ban Architects designed the Cardboard Cathedral in New Zealand
“VAN and Shigeru Ban Architects have carried out disaster relief activities for nearly 30 years, providing temporary shelter, partition systems, community centres and spiritual places for victims of natural disasters and conflicts in countries including Rwanda, Syria, Turkey India, China, Italy, Haiti and Ban’s native Japan,” the Japan Art Association said.
“Most recently, Ban supplied Paper Partition System for shelters for Ukrainian refugees inside Ukraine, neighbouring Poland and Slovakia as well as Germany and France.”
The Praemium Imperiale awards were inaugurated in 1988 and are given out annually by Japan’s Imperial family. This year’s winners will each receive 15 million yen (£73,000).
Other winners of this year’s Praemium Imperiale awards include French artist Sophie Calle for painting, Taiwanese filmmaker Ang Lee for theatre and film, Portuguese pianist Maria João Pires for music and Colombian artist Doris Salcedo for sculpture.
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