Women’s History Month Spotlight: Architect Kazuyo Sejima

“Architecture is how people meet space.”

— Kazuyo Sejima

On October 29, 1956, Kazuyo Sejima was born in Ibaraki, a Japanese prefecture 62 miles from Tokyo. Kazuyo received her master’s degree in architecture in 1981 from Japan Women’s University. By 1987, she had her own agency Kazuyo Sejima & Associates. In 1995, Kazuyo changed the name of her agency to Sejima and Nishizawa and Associates (SANAA). She received national recognition for her work almost immediately. Her philosophy is that of an empathetic because she doesn’t consider any of her work as complete until people put life into it. This concept is so simple yet brilliant.

Kazuyo’s buildings are modernist and contemporary, with clean, shiny surfaces using signature materials such as glass, marble, and metals. She also includes the exterior surroundings into her buildings, so huge windows to bring the exterior surroundings inside are a staple. 

Kazuyo garnishes inspiration from the site where the building will live. Kazuyo’s buildings are all over the world. Here are some examples of the caliber of her work: The Rolex Learning Center in Lausanne, Switzerland; New Museum in New York City; 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art in Kanazawa, Japan; Louvre-Lens Museum in France; La Samaritaine Department Store in Paris, France; Toledo Museum of Art in Toledo, Ohio; Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design in Jerusalem, Israel; as well as the Bocconi University Urban Campus in Milan, Italy, just to name a few.

This multi-talented architect is making sure to pass the torch as she has made significant contributions as a professor of architecture. Kazuyo has taught at Keio University in Tokyo, Princeton University, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Tama Art University, and her alma mater, Japan Women’s University.

Kazuyo has achieved so much in her 63 years, and the best part is she doesn’t seem to be done. She also designs furniture. It really doesn’t matter what she sinks creativity into, you can bet that it is like nothing you’ve ever felt because she creates beauty you can emotionally feel.

From the ADG Jobsite 

Sculptural rings fixture on collaboration with Laura Brophy Interiors.

by Gerald Olesker, CEO, ADG Lighting