After awarding the German architect Frei Otto last year, the Chilean Alejandro Aravena won the 41st Pritzker Prize, the architecture's most prestigious recognition since 1979, and the Award Ceremony will be held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, on 4 April.
Announcing the winner Tom Pritzker, President of the Hyatt Foundation, which sponsors the prize: "The jury has selected an architect who deepens our understanding of what is truly great design. Alejandro Aravena has pioneered a collaborative practice that produces powerful works of architecture, and also addresses key challenges of the 21st century. His built work gives economic opportunity to the less privileged, mitigates the effects of natural disasters, reduces energy consumption, and provides welcoming public space. Innovative and inspiring, he shows how architecture at its best can improve people's lives."
Appointed as artistic director of the Venice Architecture Biennale 2016, the 48-year-old Aravena comes from Santiago, Chile, has a large portfolio of important projects for the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile such as the Innovation Center UC - Anacleto Angelini (2014), the Siamese Towers (2005), the Medical, Mathematics and Architecture Faculties (2004 and 1999). Responding to local climate conditions with innovative and efficient facades, guests can enjoy a natural light and a convivial meeting places.
In Austin (Texas), United States, Aravena has built St. Edward's dormitory (2008), and has signed an agreement to build Novartis' offices in Shanghai.
Since 2001, he is the executive director of ELEMENTAL whose partners are Gonzalo Arteaga, Juan Cerda, Victor Oddo, and Diego Torres. The main objectives of the company are social and public interest projects such as public infrastructures, social housing and transportation. ELEMENTAL has designed more than 2,500 units of low-cost social housing.