Trio of Catalan architects win 2017 Pritzker Prize

Rafael Aranda, Carme Pigem and Ramon Vilalta

The Pritzker Prize is considered the main event in world architecture, where professionals who have developed projects based on three principles are selected: solidity, beauty and functionality.

Bell–Lloc Winery, 2007, Palamós, Girona, Spain

In its 39th edition, the award had three winning professionals - a first in its history. Rafael Aranda, Carme Pigem and Ramon Vilalta, Catalan architects from the RCR Arquitectes studio, won the 2017 Pritzker Prize . The trio is originally from Olot, in the region Spanish from Catalonia and have been together since 1988.

El Petit Comte Kindergarten, 2010, Besalú, Girona, Spain In collaboration with J. Puigcorbé

La Lira Theater Public Open Space, 2011, Ripoll, Girona, Spain In collaboration with J. Puigcorbé

His projects emphasize materiality and construction techniques—making intense use of color, transparency, and light—and encompass a wide range of programs, from museums and theaters to schools and residences. Among them are: La Cuisine Art Center and the Soulages Museum , both in France, as well as La Lira Theater Public Open Space, in Spain.

Les Cols Restaurant Marquee 2011 Olot, Girona, Spain

"When we start a project, we are very interested in visiting the site. We are used to 'reading' the site as if it were speaking to us with its own alphabet - an alphabet established between the site and us. It is also very important to study what we should do there . We don’t like to start with a typology or assumptions,” explains Carme Pigem.

Each project by these architects is special and uncompromisingly true to its time and place. Their work is always the fruit of true collaboration and service to the community. They understand that architecture and its surroundings are intimately intertwined, and they know that the choice of materials and the craftsmanship Building materials are powerful tools for creating lasting and meaningful spaces and for this reason they were nominated as winners of the 2017 Pritzker Prize !

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