Taro Okabe has been director of Shigeru Ban Architects Europe, based in Paris, France, since 2011. He began his career at KEIKAKU Inc. and Kono Susumu & Architects in Tokyo, Japan, and gained further international experience through an internship at Ateliers Jean Nouvel in Paris. His academic background includes a Master’s and Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from Chiba University, Japan. With more than 25 years of professional experience, Okabe has worked on a variety of international projects, working in design, technical coordination, and project leadership roles. He has been a First Class Architect certified by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport of Japan since 2006. Among his awards, Okabe won the first prize in the Mazroc Architectural Hardware Design Competition in 2004 and the second prize in the Eco-bio Toilet Competition in 2003. He has published articles and contributions in relevant publications such as Shinkenchiku, Detail Japan, and Kenchiku Gijutsu, and has worked as an editorial assistant at Tadao Ando Lab at the University of Tokyo. Okabe has also given lectures and seminars internationally, including the Forum Bois Construction 2021 in Paris and the International Architecture Forum 2018 in Homburg.