We had an inkling that Alejandro Aravena was off to great things, ever since we first encountered his clever, considerate and socially conscious designs – him winning the director's role for the upcoming 2016 Venice Architecture Biennale only reinforced this belief. Now the most coveted architecture prize, the Pritzker, has just come to confirm it.
Chilean architect Aravena has just been announced as the 2016 Laureate of this year's Priztker Prize, following in the steps of Frei Otto, Wang Shu, Shigeru Ban and Toyo Ito to receive the prestigious distinction. He will be given his award during a formal ceremony at the United Nations headquarters in New York on 4 April.
'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,' says chairman and president of the Hyatt Foundation (who sponsor the prize), Thomas Pritzker. '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.'
Similarly, chair of the jury of the Pritzker Architecture Prize, Lord Peter Palumbo expressed his 'sense of wonder and revelation' upon visiting Aravena's work.
Buildings at the Universidad Católica de Chile in Santiago, including the UC Innovation Center – Anacleto Angelini, 2014; the Siamese Towers, 2005; Medical School, 2004; School of Architecture, 2004; and the Mathematics School, 1999, are among the work in the architect's growing portfolio.
To say that we are looking forward to Aravena's upcoming Venice Biennale composition of events, titled 'Reporting from the Front', is an understatement. We can't wait for the event to kick off in May 2016.
The architect, pictured, follows in the steps of Frei Otto, Wang Shu, Shigeru Ban and Toyo Ito in recieving the prestigious distinction.
Aravena's clever, considerate and socially conscious designs earned him the award. Pictured: San Joaquín Campus, Universidad Católica de Chile, 2014.
The atrium at Universidad Católica de Chile, 2014.
Writer’s Cabin at Jan Michalski Foundation, Montricher, Switzerland, 2015.
Dining hall and office building for Arauco Forest Company, 2015.
Mathematics School at Universidad Católica de Chile, 1999.
Medical School at Universidad Católica de Chile, 2004.
Medical School at Universidad Católica de Chile, 2004.
Bicentennial Children’s Park in Santiago, Chile, 2012.
Monterrey housing, Mexico, 2010.
Ocho Quebradas House in Los Vilos, Chile.
Constitución Seaside Promenade, 2014.
Siamese Towers, San Joaquín Campus, Universidad Católica de Chile, 2005.
INFORMATION
For more information, visit The Pritzker Architecture Prize’s website
-
Bocci and Anna Carnick join forces on a showcase of evocative design practices in Berlin'Crafting Community' is on view at Berlin's Wilhelm Hallen until 14 September 2025
-
The story behind a one-of-a-kind Dieter Rams handbag, reborn by German leather brand TsatsasA new exhibition at Vitsœ’s London store celebrates the ‘931’ bag, designed by Dieter Rams for his wife Ingeborg in 1963 and reborn over half a century later in a collaboration between Rams and German leather accessories brand Tsatsas
-
A Miami pied-à-terre channels Art Deco glamour and endless summerInterior designer Olga Malyev reimagines a South of Fifth apartment with bold colour, vintage treasures and a sunlit spirit that captures Miami’s timeless allure
-
Anish Kapoor designs Naples station as a reflection of ‘what it really means to go underground’A new Naples station by artist Anish Kapoor blends art and architecture, while creating an important piece of infrastructure for the southern Italian city
-
‘Landscape architecture is the queen of science’: Emanuele Coccia in conversation with Bas SmetsItalian philosopher Emanuele Coccia meets Belgian landscape architect Bas Smets to discuss nature, cities and ‘biospheric thinking’
-
The wait is over – the RIBA Stirling Prize 2025 shortlist is hereThe restored home of Big Ben, creative housing for different needs, and a centre for medical innovation – the RIBA Stirling Prize 2025 shortlist has just been announced, and its six entries are as diverse as they can be
-
Colourful, impactful, bold: meet the Aga Khan Award for Architecture 2025 winnersFrom resilient flood-proof homes in Bangladesh to a bold creative hub in Palestine, the seven winners of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture 2025 reimagine how buildings can foster community, resilience and cultural dialogue across Asia and Africa
-
This historic Sicilian house cost one euro. Go inside its transformationPalermo-based firm Didea teamed up with AirBNB to reimagine the once-dilapidated property in vibrant colour blocks
-
A guide to Renzo Piano’s magic touch for balancing scale and craft in architectureProlific and innovative, Renzo Piano has earned a place among the 20th century's most important architects; we delve into his life and career in this ultimate guide to his work
-
The 2025 Obel Award is scooped not by an architect or building, but by a movementHouseEurope! has won the 2025 Obel Award; the non-profit organisation has been advocating for ecological and social transformation in the built environment
-
Porsche and the Norman Foster Foundation rethink the future of mobilityA futuristic Venice transport hub, created with the Norman Foster Foundation for Porsche’s The Art of Dreams programme, is a star of the city’s Architecture Biennale
