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Pritzker Winner Lauded for Timeless, Universal Architecture
Wang Shu of the People's Republic of China wins architecture's top prize in 2012
Considered the Nobel Prize of the architecture world, the Pritzker Prize honors a living architect whose oeuvre demonstrates a combination of talent, vision and commitment, who has made a "significant contribution to humanity and the built environment through the art of architecture."
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Wang Shu, the first Chinese winner of the Pritzker, is a firm believer that professional architecture should first be about the fundamentals.
"One problem of architecture is that it thinks too much of a building," he says. "A house, which is closer to our simple and trivial life, is more fundamental architecture."
Wang considers himself an amateur in life, thus naming the design firm he founded with his wife, Lu Wenyu, Amateur Architecture Studio. "For myself, being an artisan or a craftsman is an amateur, or almost the same thing."
"One problem of architecture is that it thinks too much of a building," he says. "A house, which is closer to our simple and trivial life, is more fundamental architecture."
Wang considers himself an amateur in life, thus naming the design firm he founded with his wife, Lu Wenyu, Amateur Architecture Studio. "For myself, being an artisan or a craftsman is an amateur, or almost the same thing."
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| In 2005, Wang received the Holcim Award for Sustainable Construction in the Asia Pacific, based on his work on two major projects, the Ningbo Contemporary Art Museum ... |
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| ... and the Five Scattered Houses (also in Ningbo, China). |
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| Wang treats buildings and houses as both "critical and experimental," he says. He uses recycled materials and honors traditional craftsmanship and building methods, but firmly roots his work in the present as well. |
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| According to the Pritzker awarding jury, honoring Wang with the most significant architecture award acknowledges "the role that China will play in the development of architectural ideals." |
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| Wang designed the Library of Wenzheng College at Suzhou University (seen here) with careful consideration of "traditions of Suzhou gardening which suggests that buildings located between water and mountains should not be prominent," he says. |
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The library received the Architecture Arts Award of China in 2004.
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| The Vertical Courtyard Apartments, made up of six 26-story towers, was nominated for the German International High-Rise Award in 2008. Wang, humbled by the Pritzker Prize, is now forced to look at his greater body of work. He says, "I've done many things over the last decade. It proves that earnest hard work and persistence lead to positive outcomes." More: The Pritzker Architecture Prize 2011 Pritzker Winner Praised for 'Uncommon Richness' |
Comments
Annie Thornton the Five Scattered Houses...breathtaking!
15 months ago · Like
hendo68 great buildings; I see Mies and Corbu here.
15 months ago · Like
Sardar Nabeel Wali Been to Shanghai and Beijing and seen some very nice buildings but Mr. Shu's buildings seem way ahead of them. I think these are signs of future trends and to see these is very inspiring.
15 months ago · Like
psuekasper oh what a great mind at work!!!! outstanding !!! paper is one thing but reality and pressing on are the real thing. just enjoying the photo's are like pollen being carried to another place for a new reaction...
15 months ago · Like
Ideabook updated on Feb. 28, 2012.
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