Architect becomes second from Portugal to win prestigious trophy
Portugese architect Eduardo Souto de Moura has been awarded the highest honour in architecture, the Pritzker Prize.
The 58-year-old architect behind 60 projects, including the Braga stadium and the Burgo Tower in Porto, worked with former Pritzker winner Alvaro Silva for five years before setting up his own practice.
Souto de Moura will now receive a $100,000 grant and a bronze medallion, and becomes the second Portugese architect to win the prize following Silva in 1992.
Pritzker Prize jury chairman, Lord Palumbo said: “During the past three decades, Eduardo Souto de Moura has produced a body of work that is of our time but also carries echoes of architectural traditions.
“His buildings have a unique ability to convey seemingly conflicting characteristics – power and modesty, bravado and subtlety, bold public authority and a sense of intimacy – at the same time.”
Souto de Moura said: “When I received the phone call telling me I was to be the Pritzker Laureate, I could hardly believe it. Then I received confirmation that it was actually true, and I came to realize what a great honor this is. The fact that this is the second time a Portuguese architect has been chosen makes it even more important.”
Souto de Moura’s award follows awards to two Japanese architects, partners Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa of SANAA, last year. Past winners include Sir Norman Foster and Zaha Hadid.
The Pritzker Architecture Prize, founded in 1979 by the late Jay A. Pritzker and his wife, Cindy, is to annually honour a living architect who demonstrates talent, vision and commitment, and who has produced consistent and significant contributions to humanity through the art of architecture.
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