Anne Lacaton and Jean-Philippe Vassal are the Winners of 2021 Pritzker Architecture Prize

Anne Lacaton and Jean-Philippe Vassal, photo courtesy of Laurent Chalet via The Pritzker Architecture Prize

On March 16, 2021 it has been announced that the French, Paris based practice Lacaton & Vassal has been announced as the winner of the most important award in architecture - The Pritzker Architecture Prize.

“Not only have they defined an architectural approach that renews the legacy of modernism, but they have also proposed an adjusted definition of the very profession of architecture. The modernist hopes and dreams to improve the lives of many are reinvigorated through their work that responds to the climatic and ecological emergencies of our time, as well as social urgencies, particularly in the realm of urban housing. They accomplish this through a powerful sense of space and materials that creates architecture as strong in its forms as in its convictions, as transparent in its aesthetic as in its ethics,”. Was stated by the jury.

Alejandro Aravena, Chair of the Pritzker Architecture Prize Jury adds:
“This year, more than ever, we have felt that we are part of humankind as a whole. Be it for health, political or social reasons, there is a need to build a sense of collectiveness. Like in any interconnected system, being fair to the environment, being fair to humanity, is being fair to the next generation,”
comments Alejandro Aravena, Chair of the Pritzker Architecture Prize Jury. “Lacaton and Vassal are radical in their delicacy and bold through their subtleness, balancing a respectful yet straightforward approach to the built environment.”

Anne Lacaton and Jean-Philippe Vassal have established their office in 1987 and worked mainly on Social Housing projects, many of which included restoration of the pre-existing buildings.

Last year the French duo had been awarded another important architecutral award - European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture or Mies van der Rohe Award.

Bellow are several work examples of the award winning architects:

Latapie House, photo courtesy of Philippe Ruault

Latapie House, photo courtesy of Philippe Ruault

Latapie House, photo courtesy of Philippe Ruault

Latapie House, photo courtesy of Philippe Ruault

House in Bordeaux, photo courtesy of Philippe Ruault

House in Bordeaux, photo courtesy of Philippe Ruault

Transformation of G, H, I Buildings, Grand Parc, 530 Units, Social Housing (with Frédéric Druot and Christophe Hutin), photo courtesy of Philippe Ruault

Transformation of G, H, I Buildings, Grand Parc, 530 Units, Social Housing (with Frédéric Druot and Christophe Hutin), photo courtesy of Philippe Ruault

Transformation of G, H, I Buildings, Grand Parc, 530 Units, Social Housing (with Frédéric Druot and Christophe Hutin), photo courtesy of Philippe Ruault

Transformation of G, H, I Buildings, Grand Parc, 530 Units, Social Housing (with Frédéric Druot and Christophe Hutin), photo courtesy of Philippe Ruault

École Nationale Supérieure d’Architecture de Nantes, photo courtesy of Philippe Ruault

École Nationale Supérieure d’Architecture de Nantes, photo courtesy of Philippe Ruault

Residential and Office Building, photo courtesy of Philippe Ruault

53 Units, Low-Rise Apartments, Social Housing, photo courtesy of Philippe Ruault

Site for Contemporary Creation, Phase 2, Palais de Tokyo, photo courtesy of Philippe Ruault

Source: The Pritzker Architecture Prize

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