Tadao Ando

Tadao Ando (安藤忠雄 Andō Tadao, born September 13, 1941 in Osaka, Japan) is a Japanese architect whose approach to architecture is sometimes categorised as Critical Regionalism. Ando has led a storied life, working as truck driver and boxer before settling on the profession of architecture without having taken formal training.

Awards

• Annual Prize (Row House, Sumiyoshi), Architectural Institue of Japan, 1979
• Cultural Design Prize (Rokko Housing One and Two), Japan, 1983
• Alvar Aalto Medal, The Finnish Association of Architects, 1985
• Gold Medal of Architecture, French Academy of Architecture, 1989
• Carlsberg Architectural Prize, Denmark, 1992
• Japan Art Academy Prize, Japan, 1993
• Pritzker Architecture Prize, 1995
• Chevalier de l?Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, France, 1995
• Praemium Imperiale First ?FRATE SOLE? Award in Architecture, Japan Art Association, 1996
• Officier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, France, 1997
• Royal Gold Medal, Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), 1997
• AIA Gold Medal, American Institute of Architects (AIA), 2002