HONOR in ARCHITECTURE

the PRITZKER ARCHITECTURE prize

purpose

To honor a living architect whose built work demonstrates a combination of those qualities of talent, vision and commitment, which has produced consistent and significant contributions to humanity and the built environtment through the art of architecture

The international prize, which is awarded each year to a living architect for significant achievement, was established by the Pritzker family of Chicago through their Hyatt Foundation in 1979. Often referred to as “architecture’s Nobel” and “the profession’s highest honor,” it is granted annually.

The award consists of $100,000 (US) and a bronze medallion. The award is conferred on the laureate at a ceremony held at an architecturally significant site throughout the world.

history
Jay and Cindy Pritzker believed that a meaningful prize would encourage and stimulated not only a  greater public awareness of building, but also would inspire greater creativity within the architectural profession

The prize takes its name from the Pritzker family, whose international business interests are headquartered in Chicago. Their name is synonymous with Hyatt Hotels located throughout the world. The Pritzkers have long been known for their support of educational, scientific, medical, and cultural activities. Jay A. Pritzker, (1922-1999), founded the prize with his wife, Cindy. His eldest son, Thomas J. Pritzker, the current president of The Hyatt Foundation, explains, “As native Chicagoans, it’s not surprising that our family was keenly aware of architecture, living in the birthplace of the skyscraper, a city filled with buildings designed by architectural legends such as Louis Sullivan, Frank Lloyd Wright, Mies van der Rohe, and many others.”

He continues, “In 1967, we acquired an unfinished building which was to become the Hyatt Regency Atlanta. Its soaring atrium was wildly successful and became the signature piece of our hotels around the world. It was immediately apparent that this design had a pronounced effect on the mood of our guests and attitude of our employees. While the architecture of Chicago made us cognizant of the art of architecture, our work with designing and building hotels made us aware of the impact architecture could have on human behavior. So in 1978, when we were approached with the idea of honoring living architects, we were responsive. Mom and Dad (Cindy and the late Jay A. Pritzker) believed that a meaningful prize would encourage and stimulate not only a greater public awareness of buildings, but also would inspire greater creativity within the architectural profession.”


Many of the procedures and rewards of the Pritzker Prize are modeled after the Nobel Prize. Laureates of the Pritzker Architecture Prize receive a $100,000 grant, a formal citation certificate, and since 1987, a bronze medallion. Prior to that year, a limited edition Henry Moore sculpture was presented to each Laureate.

CEREMONY and MEDAL

The official ceremony granting the award takes place every year, usually in May, at an architecturally significant site throughout the world. The choice of location of the ceremony reinforces the importance of the built environment while providing a unique setting for the ceremony. The presentation ceremonies move around the world each year, paying homage to the architecture of other eras and/or works by previous laureates of the prize. As the ceremony locations are usually chosen each year before the laureate is selected, there is no intended connection between the two.

The invitation-only event is attended by international guests and guests from the host country. The ceremony itself normally consists of welcoming remarks usually from a dignitary of the host country; comments from the jury chairman; the presentation of the prize by Thomas Pritzker; and an acceptance speech from the Laureate.

The laureate receives $100,000 and also a bronze medallion. The bronze medallion awarded to each Laureate of the Pritzker Architecture Prize is based on designs of Louis Sullivan, famed Chicago architect generally acknowledged as the father of the skyscraper. On one side is the name of the prize. On the reverse, three words are inscribed, “firmness, commodity and delight,” recalling Roman architect Vitruvius' fundamental principles of architecture of firmitas, utilitas, venustas.

JURY

The independent jury of experts ranges from five to nine members. Jury members serve for multiple years to assure a balance between past and new members and are entrusted with selecting the laureate each year. No members of the Pritzker family or outside observers are present during jury deliberations which usually take place during the first months of the calendar year. The jury members are recognized professionals in their own fields of architecture, business, education, publishing, and culture. 

2011 Jury Members

Lord Peter Palumbo, 2005-present (Chair)
Alejandro Aravena, 2009-present
Yung Ho Chang, 2012-present
Carlos Jimenez, 2001-present
Glenn Murcutt, 2010-present
Juhani Pallasmaa, 2009-present
Renzo Piano, 2006-present
Karen Stein, 2004-present
Martha Thorne, 2005-present (Executive Director)

 

Past Jury Members

J. Carter Brown, 1979-2002 (Chair)
Director, National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.

Lord Clark of Saltwood, 1979-1982
Author and Art Historian

Cesar Pelli, 1979-1982
Architect
Dean, School of Architecture, Yale University

Arata Isozaki, 1979-1984
Architect
Critic

J. Irwin Miller, 1979-1984
Chairman, Executive Committee, Cummins Engine Company, Inc.
Architectural Patron

Philip Johnson, 1981-1985
Architect
1979 Pritzker Architecture Prize Laureate

Thomas J. Watson Jr., 1982-1986
Chairman Emeritus, IBM Corporation

Kevin Roche, 1983-1991
Architect
1982 Pritzker Architecture Prize Laureate

Giovanni Agnelli, 1984-2003
Chairman, FIAT

Fumihiko Maki, 1985-1988
Architect

Ricardo Legorreta, 1985-1993
Architect

Ada Louise Huxtable, 1987-2005
Author and Critic

Lord Rothschild, 1987-2004 (Chair, 2003-2004)
Chairman, Board of Trustees, National Gallery of Great Britain

Toshio Nakamura, 1991-1999
Editor-in-chief, A+U

Frank O. Gehry, 1993-1995, 2003-2006
Architect
Pritzker Architecture Prize Laureate 1989

Charles Correa, 1993-1998
Architect

Jorge Silvetti, 1996-2004
Chairman, Department of Architecture,
   Harvard University, Graduate School of Design

Balkrishna Doshi, 2005-2007
Architect and Planner
Professor of Architecture

Victoria Newhouse, 2005-2008
Architectural Historian and Author
Founder and Director of the Architectural History Foundation

Shigeru Ban, 2006-2009
Architect
Professor of Architecture

Rolf Fehlbaum, 2004-2010
Chairman, Vitra

Carleton Smith, 1979-1984 (Secretary to the Jury)
Chairman, International Awards Foundation

Arthur Drexler, 1979-1986 (Consultant to the Jury)
Director, Architecture and Design,
   Museum of Modern Art New York

Brendan Gill, 1985-1987 (Secretary to the Jury)
Writer and Critic, The New Yorker

Stuart Wrede, 1987-1988 (Acting Consultant to the Jury)
Acting Director, Architecture and Design,
   Museum of Modern Art New York

Bill N. Lacy, 1988-2005 (Executive Director)
President, State University of New York at Purchase
Architect

 

NOMINATION procces
The prize is awarded irrespective of nationality, race, creed, or ideology. Nominations are accepted internationally from persons from diverse fields who have a knowledge of and interest in advancing great architecture.

The Executive Director actively solicits nominations from past laureates, architects, academics, critics, politicians, professionals involved in cultural endeavors, etc. and with expertise and interest in the field of architecture.

Additionally, any licensed architect may submit a nomination to the Executive Director for consideration by the jury for the Pritzker Architecture Prize. Nominations are accepted through November 1 of any given year. It is sufficient to send an e-mail to the Executive Director with the nominee’s name and contact information. Nominations that do not result in the award are automatically carried over to the following year. The Jury normally undertakes deliberations early in the calendar year and the winner is announced in the spring.


[http://www.pritzkerprize.com]