eduardo souto de moura wins the 2011 pritzker prize

58-year old portuguese architect eduardo souto de moura has been awarded the 2011 pritzker architecture prize. the annual international award recognizes living architects whose body of work demonstrates vision, commitment and significant contributions to humanity and the built environment through the art of architecture. souto de moura is the second portuguese architect to have been given the prize since its inception in 1979 following alvaro siza in 1992.

braga stadium’ by eduardo souto de moura in braga, portugal (2004)
image courtesy carlos coutinho (also main image)

‘during the past three decades, eduardo souto de moura has produced a body of work that is of our time but also carries echoes of architectural traditions. his buildings have a unique ability to convey seemingly conflicting characteristics – power and modesty, bravado and subtlety, bold public authority and a sense of intimacy – at the same time,’ says pritzker prize jury chairman, the lord palumbo.

upon learning that he was this year’s winner, souto de moura says, ‘when I received the phone call telling me I was to be the pritzker laureate, I could hardly believe it. then I received confirmation that it was actually true, and I came to realize what a great honor this is. the fact that this is the second time a portuguese architect has been chosen makes it even more important.’

views of exterior stairway
images courtesy carlos coutinho

an accomplished and internationally recognized figure in the field, souto de moura worked for alvaro siza for five years as a student. he established his own office in 1980 and since has completed well over sixty projects all over europe. often described as a ‘miesian architect’, he is recognized by his confidence with stone and designs that are directly influenced by mies van der rohe’s modern details.

‘casa das histórias paula rego’ by eduardo souto de moura in cascais, portugal (2009)
images courtesy pedro kok | see more about this project on designboom here

to see more images of the project, click here | images courtesy pedro kok

architect’s sketches
image courtesy casa das historias paula rego

‘burgo tower’ by eduardo souto de moura in porto, portugal (2007)
image courtesy arnout fonck

façade
image courtesy joao pereira de sousa

‘commercial building in boavista’ by eduardo souto de moura in porto, portugal (2007)
images courtesy joao pereira de sousa

‘serpentine gallery pavilion’ by eduardo souto de moura and alvaro siza in london, united kingdom (2005)
image courtesy iqbal aalam

exterior view of the pavilion
image courtesy iqbal aalam

‘casa manoel de oliveira’ by eduardo souto de moura in porto, portugal (2003)
image courtesy joao pereira de sousa

eduardo souto de moura
image courtesy channelbeta.net