December 10, 2008The
2009 AIA (American Institute of Architects)
Gold Medal has been awarded to Australian architect
Glenn Murcutt for the depth of his work and the great influence his works have had worldwide.
Born in
London in
1926 (but 100% Australian), he has conducted his activity exclusively in
Australia, and against the trend of gigantism of a lot of contemporary architecture. His principal works are indeed one-family houses, often built in isolated areas, characterised by a rigorous respect for the environment, and wonderfully integrated with the morphology and climate of the areas where they are sited.
He draws inspiration from the vernacular forms of his country, from the rigorous geometries of
Mies van der Rohe, and from
Alvar Aalto’s naturalistic Modernist revisions.
Already the recipient of the
Pritzker Prize in
2002,
Glen Murcutt will receive this award in the course of a ceremony which will be held in
Washington D.C. in February.