Tag: Architects (Page 13 of 13)

The Pritzker Architecture Prize is often referred to as “architecture’s Nobel” and “the profession’s highest honor”. 2009 winner is Swiss architect Peter Zumthor.

Although most of his work is in Switzerland, he has designed projects in Germany, Austria, The Netherlands, England, Spain, Norway, Finland and the United States. His most famous work is in Vals, Switzerland — the Thermal Baths.

Thermal Baths in Vals, photos by Gary Ebner, Ludwig Moos and Helene Binet.

Zumthor, when notified that he had been named the 2009 laureate, responded, “Being awarded the Pritzker Prize is a wonderful recognition of the architectural work we have done in the last 20 years. That a body of work as small as ours is recognized in the professional world makes us feel proud and should give much hope to young professionals that if they strive for quality in their work it might become visible without any special promotion.”

 House in Leis, photo by Ludwig Moos

Based in the remote village of Haldenstein in the Swiss mountains, Zumthor develops buildings of great integrity. Declining a majority of the commissions that come his way, he only accepts a project if he feels a deep affinity for its program, and from the moment of commitment, his devotion is complete, overseeing the project’s realization to the very last detail.

Brother Klaus Field Chapel in Wachendorf, Germany, photo by Pietro Savorelli

Zumthor has a keen ability to create places that are much more than a single building. His architecture expresses respect for the primacy of the site, the legacy of a local culture and the invaluable lessons of architectural history.

Kolumba Museum in Cologne, photo by Michiel van Raaij

Posted by Isabel Barros

This Prize is a joint initiative of the European Commission and the Fundació Mies van der Rohe. The principal objectives are to recognise and commend excellence in the field of architecture and to draw attention to the important contribution of European professionals in the development of new concepts and technologies.

The 2009 edition awarded the Norwegian firm Snohetta and their new Operahouse in Oslo. It is a fantastic piece of Architecture, particularly in a country where no other cultural building of similar relevance was built in the last six centuries. I think it’s fantastic the way the building opens up to the sea, it is one of those projects that it’s hard to believe it will ever leave the drawing board.

Photo by RennyBA

I love the way the roofscape slopes down to embrace the sea creating an amazing public space around the building (and on the top!). This sloping plane is cladded with white marble slats and it’s fully accessible to the public. The slope is a bit too steep but those of you that have tried to connect a roof with the ground like it’s done here know the difficulties behind that. For that reason the roof is closed when it is icy because it would be easy to fall and end up swimming in the sea. I hope there are lots of dry days in Norway so this dramatic building is fully usable for great enjoyment.

Posted by Isabel Barros  – May 17, 2009

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