Chinese architect Wang Shu, who took part in Alessi (Un)Forbidden City project, has won the 2012 Pritzker Architecture Prize, and will be honored at a formal Pritzker ceremony on May 25 in Beijing.
"The fact that an architect from China has been selected by the jury represents a significant step in acknowledging the role that China will play in the development of architectural ideals," Thomas J. Pritzker said in a statement. "The selection of Wang Shu reflects the jury's view that his work represents that standard of excellence which will be so critical to China's future."
The 49-year-old founded Amateur Architecture Studio firm in Huangzhou with his wife, Lu Wenyu, in 1997. Already in his first design accomplishment, the Library of Wenzheng College, Wang showed his great ability to mix modern technology with the unique traditions of the past in harmony with the future needs for sustainable development.
In 2012 Wang Shu was among the 8 Chinese architects to take part in the Alessi (Un)Forbidden City metaproject premiered at the Beijing Design Week 2011.
His “Clouds Root” tray originates from memory. “Chinese academics love to compare the elusiveness of clouds to the inconsistency of human emotions. The stones in the gardens of academics are clouds but they also represent the love between a man and a woman… We always hope to achieve a sound basis in a life that is continually changing, something solid like stone. For this reason, the stones in the gardens are called ‘clouds root”.
