The architecture world’s most prestigious accolade, the Pritzker Prize, has announced its 45th laureate. And for the first time, it has gone to an Indian architect – Professor Balkrishna Doshi.
March 9th, 2018
Often described as architecture’s highest honour, the Pritzker Prize has announced the 2018 laureate for the award.
Stepping outside of the usual European architects who dominate the award, Balkrishna Doshi, an Indian architect, has been named as this year’s recipient.
Practising for 70 years, Doshi has been shaping the architectural language and discourse of his native India. Coming up during the reign of International Style, Doshi has been greatly influenced by the 20th century masters, Le Corbusier and Louis Kahn in particular, both of whom have built iconic projects in India and neighbouring Bangladesh. Doshi’s concrete structures draw a clear reference to those of Le Corbusier and Kahn.
Doshi has been able to interpret architecture and transform it into built works that respect eastern culture while enhancing the quality of living in India. His ethical and personal approach to architecture has touched lives of every socio-economic class across a broad spectrum of genres since the 1950s.
“My works are an extension of my life, philosophy and dreams trying to create treasury of the architectural spirit. I owe this prestigious prize to my guru, Le Corbusier. His teachings led me to question identity and compelled me to discover new regionally adopted contemporary expression for a sustainable holistic habitat,” comments Doshi.
He continues, “with all my humility and gratefulness I want to thank the Pritzker Jury for this deeply touching and rewarding recognition of my work. This reaffirms my belief that, ‘life celebrates when lifestyle and architecture fuse.’”
This accolade is a huge point of recognition for a country that is not recognised enough for its legacy in the architectural canon.
A searchable and comprehensive guide for specifying leading products and their suppliers
Keep up to date with the latest and greatest from our industry BFF's!
Marylou Cafaro’s first trendjournal sparked a powerful, decades-long movement in joinery designs and finishes which eventually saw Australian design develop its independence and characteristic style. Now, polytec offers all-new insights into the future of Australian design.
Channelling the enchanting ambience of the Caffè Greco in Rome, Budapest’s historic Gerbeaud, and Grossi Florentino in Melbourne, Ross Didier’s new collection evokes the designer’s affinity for café experience, while delivering refined seating for contemporary hospitality interiors.
The Sub-Zero Wolf showrooms in Sydney and Melbourne provide a creative experience unlike any other. Now showcasing all-new product ranges, the showrooms present a unique perspective on the future of kitchens, homes and lifestyles.
Savage Design’s approach to understanding the relationship between design concepts and user experience, particularly with metalwork, transcends traditional boundaries, blending timeless craftsmanship with digital innovation to create enduring elegance in objects, furnishings, and door furniture.
In this comment piece, Rothelowman principal, Susanne Pini, argues that the build-to-rent model makes for a much richer mix of spaces in our cities.
Transplanting the essence of one Indian capital city into another, RSDA has retrofitted a family home with a finely tuned focus on colour, material and furniture.
The internet never sleeps! Here's the stuff you might have missed
2024’s theme, “Reawaken,” calls for a journey through reinvention and sustainability.
Dallas Rogers, Head of Urban Discipline at the School of Architecture, Design and Planning, University of Sydney, comments on the history of map-making in our cities.