Acclaimed Japanese architect Sejima Kazuyo has been appointed the newest member of the Pritzker Prize Jury, tasked with selecting the next winner of architecture’s most prestigious accolade.

Sejima, who won the Pritzker Prize in 2010, is the co-founder of Tokyo studio SANAA, which she has led alongside fellow laureate Nishizawa Ryue since 1995.

Their buildings together include the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art in Kanazawa, Japan; the Rolex Learning Center in Lausanne, Switzerland; the Louvre-Lens museum in France; and Grace Farms in New Canaan, US.

Tom Pritzker, chair of the Hyatt Foundation and the head of the award, said: “During her acceptance speech of the 2010 Pritzker Prize, Sejima remarked, ‘This award is not only in recognition of our past works but rather an encouragement toward new architectural creations’. It is this credence, alongside her international background and experience, that makes her a welcomed addition to the Jury.”

Sejima said: “I'm looking forward to working with my colleagues on the jury and supporting the mission of the Pritzker Prize.”

She joins jury chair Glenn Murcutt, the 2002 Pritzker Laureate, and fellow winners Richard Rogers and Wang Shu on the panel. The other judges are US Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, architectural critic André Corrêa do Lago, architectural patron Lord Palumbo, designer Benedetta Tagliabue and Ratan N Tata, the chair of Tata Trusts.

Martha Thorne, executive director of the Pritzker Prize, manages the open nominations process, which accepts suggestions from architects from all over the world.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the accolade, which has come to be known internationally as architecture’s highest honour. Recent winners include Shigeru Ban, Frei Otto, Alejandro Aravena and the three founders of RCR Arquitectes.

The 2018 Laureate will be announced in March, followed by the official ceremony in Toronto, Canada.