Received the 20th Japan Structural Design Award Gengo Matsui Special Prize in 2025.

(Tokyo headquarters: Setagaya-ku, Tokyo; Osaka headquarters: Yodogawa-ku, Osaka; President: Yumi Nomura), a manufacturer of large membrane surface structures (tent structures) and civil engineering and logistics materials, has been awarded the “20th Japan Structural Design Award 2025, Gengo Matsui Special Prize” for his contribution to the development of architectural culture through the revitalization of structural design. Mr. Yoshito Isono (90), former head of the Technical Division of YUKI NOMURA, received the Gengo Matsui Special Award at the 20th Japan Structural Design Awards in 2025 for his contribution to the development of architectural culture by revitalizing structural design. Mr. Isono attended the award ceremony held on September 5, 2025 at the NS Hall of Nikken Sekkei Ltd.

The Japan Structural Design Award is an award system established in 2006, succeeding the Gengo Matsui Award established in 1990 upon the retirement of the late Professor Gengo Matsui of Waseda University. It is organized and administered by the Structural Engineers Club of Japan (Chairman: Atsuharu Kanabako, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo).

Inheriting the philosophy of the “Gengo Matsui Award” – to improve the situation where the outstanding achievements of structural engineers are not given enough opportunities to be recognized by society – the award is given annually to an individual who has contributed to the creation of socially and culturally significant architectural works using original techniques, or whose activities and achievements as a structural engineer have been socially and culturally significant. The award is given to individuals whose activities and achievements as a structural engineer are socially and culturally significant.

Among these awards, the “Japan Structural Design Award Gengo Matsui Special Prize” is a special prize presented to individuals who have made significant contributions to the development of structural design over the years.

Mr. Isono worked for Taiyo Kogyo from 1965 to 1993, and was the chief engineer of the American Pavilion at the 1970 Osaka Expo. Working with engineers active in Japan and around the world in the early days of membrane structures, he established the technology that would become the foundation of membrane structures, an achievement that continues to be carried forward in the development of membrane structures today. After his retirement, he continued his research activities, visiting 26 countries and 500 cities around the world to investigate spatial structure. The results of his research have been published in a book entitled “Spatial Structures” (published by the Yoshikatsu Tsuboi Memorial Lecture Executive Committee). His long and significant contributions to the field of membrane structure and spatial structure led to the award this time.

Mr. Yoshito Isono was the chief engineer of the “U.S. Government Pavilion” of pneumatic structure (air membrane structure) at the Japan World Exposition (Expo ’70 Osaka) EXPO ’70 and the construction manager of the “Tokyo Dome” in 1980, leading the membrane structure technology as the most advanced Japanese membrane structure engineer, He has created new architectural structural spaces.
What is unique about him is that he embarked on a pilgrimage around the world to explore spatial structures after he finished his core business of membrane structures. At a time when there was no information network such as the Internet, there were only a limited number of books and information on famous and unknown spatial structural architecture scattered around the world. It is very significant that he has contributed greatly to the education of spatial structures by publishing them in various architectural structure research journals, magazines, and databases, as well as by providing them to us and cooperating with our activities.
The achievements of Mr. Matsui, who has supported and developed membrane structures since their early days and has devoted himself to the education of spatial structures, are truly worthy of the Gengo Matsui Award of the Society, which recognizes individuals who have contributed to the development of structural design over many years and who have been involved in outstanding activities.

It is a great honor to receive this great honor at the age of 90. I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Mr. Frei Otto, Mr. Walter Bird, Dr. Yoshikatsu Tsuboi, Dr. Emi Kawaguchi, and other structural design specialists and academic researchers who have been so kind to me. I would also like to thank once again former President Kotaro Nomura and everyone at the company for their guidance over the years.

The Tent: Nomads’ and Hunters’ Residence
Supervisor: Tadao Umesao
Author: Tobo Fager
Translator: Yoshito Isono
Publisher: SPS Publications
First edition: 1985

“Spatial Structure,” Materials (Volumes 3-11)
Publisher: Executive Committee of the Yoshikatsu Tsuboi Memorial Lecture (Representative: Shigeru Aoki)
Source: Yoshito Isono
Publisher: 1995 – 2005 Year
Printed by: Nissei Ebro Corporation
Cover perspective created by: Kazuo Kawasaki

1935 Born in Choshi City, Chiba Prefecture
1955 Graduated from Chiba Prefectural Choshi Commercial High School (evening)
1958-59 Attended English School (evening)
1960-64 Employed at the U.S. Army Supply Center in Japan (Shaw) in Tokorozawa, Saitama Prefecture
1960-65 Department of Electronic Engineering (Second Division), Kogakuin University Faculty of Engineering
1965 Joined Taiyo Kogyo Corporation and Assigned to President’s Office
1965 Chief Engineer, former Tokyo Stadium and Ice Skating Rink
1968 Chief Engineer, American Pavilion, World Exposition
1978 Resident in the U.S.
1981 Appointed Director
1988 General Manager, Design Division
1991 General Manager, Engineering Division
1992 Appointed Managing Director
1993 Retired, then advisor for 2 years

Taiyo Kogyo is a leading manufacturer of large membrane surface structures that are economical, easy to install, translucent, and well designed. Under the corporate philosophy of “Unlocking the infinite possibilities of membranes to deliver an inspiring and comfortable environment to our customers. Under the corporate philosophy of “We will bring excitement and a comfortable environment to our customers by exploiting the infinite possibilities of membranes,” TSP Taiyo has been supporting the safety and security of society by utilizing the characteristics of light and strong materials to expand its business in various fields including construction, as symbolized by the roof of the giant dome, civil engineering, logistics, and environmental fields.

Together with group companies such as TSP Taiyo Corporation, which provides event consulting services, and ACTIO Corporation, which manages facilities, we are working to “make the world softer and the future warmer. We aim to “make the world soft and the future warm. We aim to “soften the world and warm the future.