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The annual Louis I. Kahn Award, founded in 1983, is Philadelphia's signature event honoring individuals who have made significant contributions to the field of architecture. The event celebrates these achievements in memory of the storied career of Philadelphia architect Louis Kahn—widely considered the most critical Modernist American architect and designer of such famous structures as the Salk Institute in La Jolla, California; the National Assembly Building in Dhaka, Bangladesh; and the Richards Medical Research Laboratories at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.
The event raises funds to provide free design education to children in Philadelphia through the Design Education program of DesignPhiladelphia, which brings practicing architects and designers into public school classrooms. Design Education Introduces children to the fields of architecture and design while empowering them to use design to shape their homes, neighborhoods, and city.
Past Kahn awardees include Weiss/Manfredi, award-winning firm, founded by Marion Weiss and Michael Manfredi; Pritzker Prize Winning Architecture Firm Herzog & de Meuron, architects of Tate Modern gallery in London, Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, National Stadium in Beijing; Stephen Kieran, FAIA + James Timberlake, FAIA, founders of the firm KieranTimberlake and architects of the Embassy of the United States in London; Diller Scofido + Renfro, architects of the High Line and The Shed at Hudson Yards; Bjarke Ingels, architect of Google headquarters; Sir David Adjaye, architect of the National Museum of African American Museum in Washington D.C.; Lord Norman Foster, architect of Comcast Innovation + Technology Center; Peter Bohlin, FAIA, architect of Apple’s iconic glass cube; Daniel Liebskind, BDA, architect of the original Freedom Tower concept; Robert A.M. Stern, FAIA, architect of the Comcast Center; Rafael Viñoly, FAIA, architect of the Kimmel Center; and César Pelli, FAIA, architect of Cira Center.
*Your ticket will be in the form of the confirmation email receipt*
DesignPhiladelphia is thrilled to present the 38th Louis I. Kahn Award to Kengo Kuma, founder of Kengo Kuma & Associates (KKAA), a renowned Tokyo-based architecture firm. Kuma is celebrated for his innovative approach to architecture, blending traditional Japanese elements with modern aesthetics to create spaces that foster a deep connection between nature and the built environment. His work continues to inspire architects worldwide and exemplifies the values of sustainability, cultural sensitivity, and harmony with nature.
KKAA has recently completed several notable projects, including the UCCA Clay Museum in Yixing, China, a 37,000-square-foot structure adorned with 3,600 handmade tiles, reflecting the region’s rich pottery heritage. In Paris, Kuma's design for Yami-Tani, a project that features a façade made of ridged chestnut panels, draws upon motifs of timber and traditional Japanese architecture. Another significant project is the Centro de Arte Moderna Gulbenkian in Lisbon, Portugal, where Kuma’s redesign incorporates a sweeping 100-meter-long canopy of ceramic tiles and integrates the building seamlessly with the surrounding gardens.
Kengo Kuma will present a talk in acceptance of the 38th Louis I. Kahn Award at the University of Pennsylvania’s Museum of Anthropology and Archaeology at 6:30 pm on Wednesday, April 9, 2025. A VIP reception with light hors d'oeuvres and beverages will take place in the Chinese Rotunda from 5:30 - 6:30 pm.
Kengo Kuma was selected for the 2025 Louis I. Kahn Award due to his profound contributions to contemporary architecture, and his ability to create innovative, sustainable designs that resonate both culturally and aesthetically. His work exemplifies the spirit of the Louis I. Kahn Award, and DesignPhiladelphia is honored to present him with this prestigious recognition.
The 2025 Louis I. Kahn Award is generously supported by presenting sponsor Gattuso Development Partners — a developer of exceptional, sustainable high-performance workplaces. Led by former Liberty Property Trust leaders John S. Gattuso, President and CEO, and Anne Cummins, COO, the Gattuso team has played a vital role in reshaping the Philadelphia skyline and revitalizing its urban landscape.
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