Guthrie designer Nouvel wins Pritzker, highest architecture honor
French architect Jean Nouvel, who designed the new Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis, has been awarded his profession's highest honor.
Nouvel is the 2008 winner of the Pritzker Architecture Prize. He joins such renowned architects as Frank Gehry and I.M. Pei.
Nouvel's design for the Guthrie Theater was singled out by the judges. The massive, boxy dark-blue structure opened along the Mississippi River in 2006, and was met with worldwide acclaim.
The 62-year-old Nouvel will receive a 100-thousand dollar grant and a bronze medallion. He tells the Associated Press that he has fought for specific architecture over generic architecture and that, quote, "Every project is an adventure."
Create a More Connected Minnesota
MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.