March 9, 2026

Design Before Disaster: Japan’s Culture of Preparedness by Miho Mazereeuw has been shortlisted for the Technical Studies category at this year’s Booklaunch Architectural Book Awards. The book is one of eighteen titles selected across four categories, following a review of submissions from a range of publishers.

According to the award organizers, this year’s entries formed a strong field, with shortlists announced in the areas of Buildings, Architectural Practice, Architectural History, and Technical Studies. Final winners will be selected in the coming months, with one title to be named overall Architectural Book of the Year.

Design Before Disaster examines how communities in Japan have developed long-standing practices of disaster preparedness in response to frequent environmental risks. It presents these practices as both a cultural framework and a set of design strategies that can inform planning and recovery efforts in other regions. The book also highlights the importance of adapting solutions to local contexts, emphasizing that effective design must reflect the needs and customs of the communities it serves.

See the full list of shortlisted books in the March 2026 Edition of Booklaunch, with Design Before Disaster presented on page 8.