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Tokyo/Chicago – The Pritzker Prize, often referred to as the Nobel Prize for Architecture, was awarded this year to Japanese architect Arata Isozaki (87). His innovative building designs that blend Eastern and Western influences earned him the honor. This was announced today by the Chicago-based Hyatt Foundation, which has presented the award annually since 1979. Its laureates are living architects whose work demonstrates talent and vision, as well as contributions to humanity, wrote the AP agency.

Isozaki is the ninth Japanese person to receive this prize. Among its laureates is Kenzō Tange, under whose guidance Isozaki began his career after graduating from the prestigious University of Tokyo.

Isozaki was one of the first Japanese architects to build abroad as well. Tom Pritzker, chairman of the Hyatt Foundation, described Isozaki's architecture, created over a career lasting five decades, as "truly international." "In a global world, architecture needs this kind of communication," Pritzker added.

Isozaki was born on the island of Kyushu in southwestern Japan and says that the devastation caused by World War II left a lasting impression on him and helped him decide to become an architect.

"I grew up in a burned country," he said, referring to the nuclear attack on Hiroshima, which is located further along the coast from his hometown of Oita, which was burned during the war.

"It was complete ruins, there was no architecture, no buildings, and not even any city. Just barracks and makeshift shelters. So my first experience of architecture was its absence, and I started to think about how people could rebuild their cities and homes," the architect stated.

Among Isozaki's works are St. George's Palace (a modern multipurpose indoor arena in Barcelona, built for the 1992 Olympic Games), the Cultural Center in Shenzhen, China, and the Allianz Tower skyscraper in Milan.