Computerlove™

April 11th, 2008

Leebeus Woods on the Pritzker Prize(Internal News)

"Jean Nouvel has won the 2008 Pritzker Prize for Architecture. No surprise. The lack of surprise makes it easy to view the Pritzker as establishment laurels for those who are already well-established. Like the Nobel Prizes, it is conferred on safe, already certified choices. Nouvel’s buildings are certainly of a high quality of design. At his best, he designs beautiful buildings. Who can quarrel? The Pritzker tries to remind us that the design of beautiful buildings within, or maybe—on occasion—closer to the limits of the accepted canon of beauty is the ultimate goal of architecture. People need enclosed spaces, and it is up to architects to design them in ways that satisfy the needs of body and soul. Or, at least, in ways that reassure us about what we already know. Nouvel works masterfully within the limits of what we already know.." read on...

Great article on the idea of the Pritzker Prize by Lebbeus Woods. I completely agree with his point of view on this. The prize, being the 'highest architectural honor' amounts to little more than a lifetime achievement award, rather than recognition for pushing the envelope and advancing architectural discourse. For that to happen, less well known architects, smaller firms and individuals that constantly break the mold would need to be considered. via his blog