Kazuyo Sejima

is a Japanese architect 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. 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. Her mother, although not employed, was highly educated; her father was a welding engineer.

Sejima 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.

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. 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). 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. In 2010, she was awarded the Pritzker Prize, together with Ryue Nishizawa.

Major works

Saishunkan Seiyaku Women's Dormitory, Kumamoto, Japan (1990–1991) Competition for Nasunogahara Harmony Hall (1991) Ogasawara Museum, Nagado, Japan Multi Media Studio, Ōgaki, Gifu, Japan (1995) SANAA's 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa, Japan (1999–2004) DIOR Tokyo Omotesando Store, Tokyo, Japan (2003) Zollverein School of Management and Design, Essen, Germany (2003–2006) New Museum of Contemporary Art, New York City, USA (2003–2007) Towada Art Center, Towada, Japan (2005–2008)