Glenn Murcutt, an Australian Architect who specializes in the design of environmentally sensitive houses (those that work with nature, rather than against it), won the Pritzker Prize today. This prize carries a $100,000 grant, but more than that is the most prestigious award for architects. It feels good to see that Murcutt won this year. He works alone, keeps animals, uses simple, non luxurious materials and builds projects of human scale. There is a three year waiting list for his work, which is mainly for private residences.
Murcutt finds himself among famous architects (Philip Johnson was the first Laureate of the Pritzker Prize) even though his goal never seemed to be fame (How unArchitectual of him). Good for him. He is also the first Australian to win this prize. Read more in the Article by Herbert Muschamp of the New York Times.
One more interesting detail (from the article): It has been 11 years since an American received the Pritzker Prize. Muschkamp also does not forget to name the Pritzker Jurors, so I will also honor them here: J. Carter Brown, Louise Huxtable, Carlos Jimenez, Jorge Silvetti and Lord Rothschild.