It’s our version of the Nobel Peace prize… or the Oscars. The Rock-Stars of architecture turned up on Ellis Island for the Pritzker Prize on May 17th. The architects Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa shared the highly coveted honors. They join the company of Zaha Hadid, Tadao Ando, Renzo Piano, and Rem Koolhaus et. all.
Philip Johnson was the first honored in 1979. I adore the New York Times description of these mega architects: “But perhaps it’s the canonization of the Architectus Celebritatus, that exotic species also known as the starchitect — a crossbreed between temperamental artist and brilliant problem-solver, idealistic do-gooder and opportunistic megalomaniac, starchy geek and shameless glamour puss — that is the prize’s most enduring legacy.”
Personally, I tend more toward the Architects for Humanity and Design like you Give a Damn philosophy. Nonetheless, a crowning achievement for this pair of architects. So break out your best black duds, round spectacles, and a bow tie, it is time to celebrate!
Photo from the New York Times website, accessed 05.20.2010.
Read the full article here: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/20/fashion/20pritzker.html
