Mira Nakashima, an acclaimed architect and furniture designer from New Hope, was recently awarded the 2025 Isamu Noguchi Award, writes Jeff Werner for Patch.  

The award honors accomplished individuals who have a spirit of innovation, dedication to their creativity, and limitless imagination.  

Established in 2014, the Isamu Noguchi Award is presented to those in a variety of disciplines around the world who demonstrate the utmost artistic integrity. 

Mira, daughter of the famed woodworker George Nakashima, honors her father with her impressive designs. 

Nakashima earned her degrees from Harvard and Tokyo’s Waseda University before becoming an apprentice at her father’s studio in 1970, where she studied for 20 years.  

Upon her father’s passing, Nakashima became the director of George Nakashima Woodworkers. 

She continued to craft classic designs while also creating her own works which have been displayed around the world. 

Her designs are titled “Keisho,” the Japanese term for “continuation,” and maintain George’s core principles of reverence for wood, spiritual craftsmanship, and harmony with nature.  

Nakashima has also set up Peace Altars around the world in honor of her father, creating installations in the United States, Russia, and India.  

Read more about the award presented to Mira Nakashima and how she has preserved her father’s legacy in Patch.  

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