Our first AAA Black Talk speaker receives highest honour winning the 2009 Pritzer Prize.

Pritzker Architecture Prize is to honor annually a living architect whose built work demonstrates a combination of those qualities of talent, vision and commitment, which has produced consistent and significant contributions to humanity and the built environment through the art of architecture.

In announcing the winner of the 2009 Priztker Prize, Thomas J. Pritzker, chairman of The Hyatt Foundation, quoted from the jury citation, "Peter Zumthor is a master architect admired by his colleagues around the world for work that is focused, uncompromising and exceptionally determined." And he added, "All of Peter Zumthor's buildings have a strong, timeless presence.  He has a rare talent of combining clear and rigorous thought with a truly poetic dimension, resulting in works that never cease to inspire."

Pritzker Prize jury chairman, The Lord Palumbo elaborated with more of the citation: "Zumthor has a keen ability to create places that are much more than a single building. His architecture expresses respect for the primacy of the site, the legacy of a local culture and the invaluable lessons of architectural history." He continued, "In Zumthor's skillful hands , like those of the consummate craftsman, materials from cedar shingles to sandblasted glass are used in a way that celebrates their own unique qualities, all in the service of an architecture of permanence."

Read more about the Pritzker Architecture Prize here.

Learn about one of Sydney's most picturesque garden suburbs on a two hour walk this Saturday 14 November at 2pm, meeting at the Castlecrag Shopping Centre. Tour leader Ben Gerstel, who is a local architect, will lead the last Castlecrag tour for 2009. This tour looks at a number of architect designed houses and Ben explains Walter Burley Griffin's and Marion Mahoney's plans for this leafy suburb.

Don't miss out, book now.

The 2009 Newcastle Open is the largest architectural community event in Newcastle and this year it will be on Sunday 15 November.  More than 20 buildings, apartments and homes will be open to the public.

This is the perfect event for those interested in exploring the city's award-winning contemporary designs and cultural legacy of our heritage buildings. Newcastle is often remarked upon for its unique showcase and concentration of a range of architectural styles all within walking distance in the city.

Participants will experience the building in its urban context and the wide range of buildings provided by the Newcastle Open are located in an area of the city bound by Newcastle East, The Hill, Darby Street and the Civic and Honeysuckle precincts. Notable architectural examples abound in this area, examples by creative architects that bring to the public what Brian Suters calls, "the happiness of architecture."

This is a great day to be out and about and gives people the chance to see award-winning designs and spaces normally restricted to the public.

A visit to each building is enhanced by the insight provided by AAA expert guides and the informed comment offered by many of the buildings' owners and users.

Book online here or phone (02) 4925 2265.

For a complete list of buildings, please visit the Lock-Up Cultural Centre website.

(Photo by: Garry Jones)

 

This is the fifth annual exhibition presented by the Australian Architecture Association (AAA) and supported by Customs House.

A new generation of international architects from Europe and America are making Sydney their home and look set to transform the future of the city.

Young, digitally savvy and globally connected, their work is the subject of this year's AAA exhibition at Customs House, Circular Quay.

"This show marks the ascendency of people, all in their 30s, who five years ago were not even on the radar," says architect Gerard Reinmuth, curator of the exhibition. They are attracted by Sydney's lifestyle but have the technology to work globally and are designing towers not house extensions.

The exhibition includes the work of architects from overseas and Australian architects who have returned home with digital skills and experience.
Discover how digital design is being utilised to envision the projects of the future. Featured in the exhibition are Anarchi, David Burns, Enter Architecture, Dan Hill, Adrian Lahoud, LAVA, Russell Lowe, Offshore Studio and Super Collossal.

Exhibition Space, Level 2, Customs House. Open daily - Mon-Fri 10am-7pm, Sat/Sun 11am-4pm. Entry free.