On this heels of Shigeru Ban’s groundbreaking Pritzker Prize win, SUITE NY is shining yet another light on the Japanese architect’s inspiring career. Despite his impressive resume of government buildings, national museums, churches and commercial headquarters, Ban is best known as an emergency zone first responder, crafting shelters quickly and efficiently out of inexpensive and eco-friendly materials. Often referred to as the Nobel Prize for architecture, the Pritzker Prize’s list of laureates includes Philip Johnson, Frank Gehry, Rem Koolhaas and Zaha Hadid.

“By recognizing Mr. Ban’s socially conscious architecture, the award lends useful prestige to such work. The [Pritzker] prize has been called a beauty contest. Now it’s a sign that good design and good works can both be rewarded.” – Michael Kimmelman of The New York Times.