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Open lecture by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Shigeru Ban

September 4, 2026

The VILNIUS TECH Faculty of Architecture community and the Embassy of Japan in Lithuania are delighted to invite you to an open lecture by Pritzker Prize-winning architect SHIGERU BAN:

“Balancing Architectural Works and Social Contributions”
22 September, 2026
12:00
VILNIUS TECH, T2 209, Trakų g. 1, Vilnius

The lecture is free and open to all. Please register by filling out this form.

Shigeru Ban

Hear from Japanese architect Shigeru Ban as he reflects on his career to date, including his three decades in disaster relief and humanitarian architecture.

Celebrated for his innovative use of renewable materials and rapid-response strategies in humanitarian architecture, Shigeru Ban’s work demonstrates the power of architecture to drive positive change in post-disaster environments, both natural and man-made.

His revolutionary work with paper tubes shows how modest materials can achieve remarkable results – from rapid-response emergency structures to elegant buildings intended to last – while his timber structures push the possibilities of environmental stewardship. This approach to materials innovation combined with his deep commitment to architecture’s social responsibility has transformed global disaster response and continues to spark conversations at the intersection of architecture, sustainability, and humanitarian aid.

During a time of climate change, escalating natural disasters and global conflicts, the lessons from his work are more urgent than ever, reminding us how resilient and adaptable structures can save lives and rebuild communities.

In his 2026 lecture, “Balancing Architectural Works and Social Contributions”, Ban will share his invaluable perspectives on designing after disaster, reflecting on this work within the context of his varied and distinguished career to date.

Architect Shigeru Ban

Born in Tokyo in 1957. Graduated from the Cooper Union. Started working for Arata Isozaki & Associates in 1982. Founded Shigeru Ban Architects in 1985. Became consultant to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in 1995. Established the NGO, Voluntary Architects’ Network (VAN) in the same year to support disaster relief. Selected works include Centre Pompidou- Metz, Oita Prefecture Art Museum, Mt. Fuji World Heritage Centre, Shizuoka, Musical Complex of La Seine Musicale, and Swatch Omega Headquarters. Recipient of multiple awards, including Grande Médaille d’or de l’Académie d’architecture, France (2004), Grand Prize of AIJ (2009) , le grade d’officier for L’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, France (2010), Auguste Perret Prize (2011), Art Prize from the Japanese Agency for Cultural Affairs (2012), le grade de commandeur for L’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, France (2014), Pritzker Architecture Prize (2014), Medal of Honor with Purple Ribbon, Japan (2017) , Mother Teresa Social Justice Award (2017) and Princess of Asturias Award for Concord (2022). An ambassador among “distinguished thinkers and practitioners” for the New European Bauhaus high-level roundtable (2021), Praemium Imperiale for Architecture(2024). Currently Special Guest Professor at Shibaura Institute of Technology Professor.

Event format
After the keynote, you’ll have the chance to ask questions during an audience Question and Answer session.
Please register by filling out this form.

Photography and filming might take place during the event.

Facebook event

Event photo: Hiroyuki Hirai. Mt. Fuji World Heritage Center, 2017, Shizuoka, Japan

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Print and Electronic Library Resources for Study and Research
Print and Electronic Library Resources for Study and Research
The VILNIUS TECH Library offers a wide range of information resources to support study and research. Its extensive collection of print and electronic resources is tailored to the needs of different fields of study and research. These resources enable members of the VILNIUS TECH community to access the latest scholarly information quickly and conveniently, both on campus and remotely. The Library continuously expands its collections to ensure access to reliable, high-quality, and up-to-date information for study, research, and professional development. The Library’s print collection includes textbooks, scholarly monographs, dictionaries, encyclopaedias, periodicals, and other information resources. These materials support users in deepening their knowledge, preparing for lectures, and completing academic and research assignments. Even more opportunities are available through the Library’s electronic resources, including e-books, journals, research evaluation and statistical data, video resources, and more. The Library’s Subject Information section provides a curated selection of electronic resources organised by academic field and subject area, making it easier to find relevant information for specific study and research needs. The Trial Databases section provides information about electronic resources that are not currently subscribed to by VILNIUS TECH but are temporarily made available by publishers for evaluation. This section is regularly updated to reflect the databases and resources currently available for trial access. All Library resources can be searched through a single access point — the VILNIUS TECH Virtual Library. It enables users to search across the Library’s collections, the LST Standards Catalogue, subscribed databases, and open-access electronic resources. 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KTU el. knygos – more than 500 e-books published by Technologija covering various fields of science.   OnArchitecture – a video library of architecture and design projects: interviews, brief descriptions of projects, information about the buildings and facilities presented, and technical specifications. Passport (Euromonitor International) – statistical data, analyses, reports, and forecasts on various industries, countries, and consumers in 210 countries. SAGE Journals Online – more than 700 journals covering various fields of science. SAGE ImechE Journals – 18 journals in technology and engineering sciences. Science Direct – more than 2,000 journals published by Elsevier covering various fields of science. eBooks on Science Direct – more than 50,000 e-books published by Elsevier covering various fields of science. Scopus – a bibliographic database designed for searching bibliographic records of scientific journal articles and scholarly information online. Scopus AI – an intuitive and intelligent search tool based on generative artificial intelligence (AI) and data from publications indexed in Scopus. Springer LINK – more than 2,000 journals covering various fields of science. SpringerLink Computer Science Collections Books 2011-2012 more than 2,000 e-books on computer science. SpringerLink Engineering Collections Books 2011-2012 – more than 1,000 e-books in mechanical engineering, electronics, computer science, and other technology and engineering sciences. SpringerLink – e-books from various collections purchased at the request of VILNIUS TECH faculty members. Springer eBooks: Engineering Collection – engineering e-books covering all areas of engineering and their interconnections. These include engineering networks, circuits and systems, signal and image processing, manufacturing, machines, tools and processes, safety and security, and applications of AI in engineering. Statista Campus License – a global data and business knowledge platform offering a wide range of statistics, reports, and insights covering numerous topics and facts from 170 industries and more than 150 countries. Taylor & Francis – approximately 2,000 electronic journals covering various fields of science. Taylor & Francis – e-books covering various fields of science, purchased at the request of VILNIUS TECH faculty members. Verslo žinios. Premium. Lithuania’s sole dedicated business news portal, providing comprehensive coverage of business and political affairs, analytical assessments of current events, expert commentary and forecasts, market trends, stock market developments, exchange rates, companies and business leaders, as well as practical business solutions. VILNIUS TECH Scientific Journals – 16 scientific journals published by VILNIUS TECH covering various fields of science. VILNIUS TECH e-books – more than 700 e-books published by VILNIUS TECH covering various fields of science. Web on Science (Clarivate Analytics) – a bibliographic database designed for research evaluation, literature searches, and journal selection for publication. Web of Science Research Assistant – a tool powered by generative artificial intelligence (AI). Wiley Online Library – more than 1,300 journals covering various fields of science. Writefull – an English-language editing tool that corrects grammar, spelling, and punctuation and specializes in terminology used in academic writing, making it a useful assistant when writing a research paper or thesis. Important: Some databases provide access to only part of their content, with subscriptions covering specific collections of e-books or journals. The description of each database provides information about which publications or information are available to the VILNIUS TECH community. Information from licensed databases may be copied (downloaded to a computer or printed) only for personal academic purposes and only in small quantities. It is strictly prohibited to provide such information to third parties, upload it to the intranet, or use it for commercial purposes. The transfer of login credentials to third parties is also strictly prohibited. In Lithuania, copyright is protected by the Law on Copyright and Related Rights of the Republic of Lithuania.
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