Pritzker Prize 2016: Social Commitment Rewarded

by John Morris Dixon | January 25th, 2016

Above photo of Alejandro Aravena by Cristobal Palma   The 2016 Pritzker Architectural Prize, widely recognized as the world’s highest design honor, is going to Alejandro Arevena of Santiago, Chile. “Who?” you may ask. Again this year, as it has done before in recent years, the Pritzker jury has passed over numerous starchitects, those who’ve produced design landmarks for prestigious clients, to single out an architect more notable for social and environmental concerns than for seductive form-making. (ED. Note: For photos of Alejandro Arena’s work please see the photo gallery at the end of this article) The Pritzker jury’s report spells out the criteria behind their choice of Mr. Arevena. The 48-year-old Chilean, they write, “epitomizes the revival of a more socially engaged architect…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, …