Sanaa

SANAA is a world-renowned architectural firm located in Tokyo, Japan. The firm is the professional partnership of architects Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa. They established the company in 1995 to design various types of structures. Their work ranges from small private houses to massive public institutions. Architecture is the art and science of designing buildings and spaces. SANAA focuses on creating environments that feel open and welcoming to all people.

The process of architectural design involves complex planning and long-term commitment. SANAA manages projects that vary greatly in their duration and scale. Some of their early works, like the Multimedia Studio in Gifu, were completed quickly. Other projects require many years of careful development and coordination. For example, the House for the CIPEA in Nanjing, China, has been an ongoing project since 2004. Architects must decide how materials will interact with light and the surrounding environment. They also plan how people will move through a space once it is built.

SANAA's portfolio includes many distinct types of buildings. They design museums that house art, such as the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art in Kanazawa. They also create educational spaces like the Rolex Learning Center at the EPFL in Lausanne. Retail architecture is another area of their expertise, seen in the Christian Dior Building in Tokyo. Some of their designs are even for temporary structures, like the Serpentine Gallery Pavilion in London. Each project type requires different technical solutions and spatial arrangements.

The history of the firm is marked by several prestigious international honors. In 2004, Sejima and Nishizawa won the Golden Lion at the Venice Biennale. This award recognized their significant contribution to the Ninth International Architecture Exhibition. In 2010, they received the Pritzker Prize, which is the highest honor in the field of architecture. Kazuyo Sejima became only the second woman to ever win this prize. More recently, in 2025, they were awarded the Royal Gold Medal by the Royal Institute of British Architects.

The significance of their work is reflected in the global reach of their projects. They have designed buildings across many continents, including Europe, Asia, and North America. In the United States, notable works include the New Museum in New York City and the Glass Pavilion in Toledo, Ohio. Their influence extends to France with the Louvre-Lens Museum. In Switzerland, they designed the Novartis Office Building in Basel. The scale of their work is immense, covering everything from local cafes to large-scale urban campuses.

Many of SANAA's buildings are known for specific, striking features. The Glass Pavilion in Toledo uses transparent materials to create a sense of lightness. The Grace Farms interior in Connecticut features floor-to-ceiling windows that connect the inside to the outside.

Their designs often emphasize inclusivity and accessibility. The Royal Gold Medal recognized them specifically for this long-term commitment to accessible design. These features allow visitors to experience the building and the landscape as one.

SANAA's work connects architecture to broader concepts of social interaction and art. Their designs have been featured in major international exhibitions, such as the City of Girls in the 2000 Venice Biennale. They have also participated in the Istanbul Biennale in Turkey. By creating spaces like the De Kunstlinie Theater & Cultural Center in the Netherlands, they support community culture. Their buildings serve as vessels for human activity, whether for learning, shopping, or viewing art. This connection ensures that their architecture remains a vital part of the cities they inhabit.