2024-12-23T04:40:09-05:00 https://archinect.com/news/article/149938424/it-s-going-to-be-about-gratitude-and-it-s-going-to-be-about-joy-watch-alejandro-aravena-s-pritzker-acceptance-speech Nicholas Korody 2016-04-05T19:40:00-04:00 >2024-01-23T19:16:08-05:00 <img src="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/ht/htjoz1qovi30ceeq.png?fit=crop&auto=compress%2Cformat&enlarge=true&w=1200" border="0" /><p>Yesterday, the Chilean architect <a href="http://archinect.com/Alejandro_Aravena" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Alejandro Aravena</a> was awarded the <a href="http://archinect.com/features/article/145673128/aravena-s-pritzker-a-critical-round-up" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pritzker Prize</a> during a ceremony at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City. Known for his socially-engaged practice, <a href="http://archinect.com/firms/cover/145731740/elemental-s-a" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Elemental</a>, Aravena will also serve as the curator for this summer's <a href="http://archinect.com/news/article/141508400/venice-biennale-director-alejandro-aravena-our-challenge-must-be-to-go-beyond-architecture" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Venice Biennale</a>.</p><p>&ldquo;The work of this year&rsquo;s Pritzker laureate, Alejandro Aravena of Chile, shows how much architecture can contribute to achieving our shared goals," said UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, who gave the first address of the night via video.</p><p><img title="" alt="" src="http://cdn.archinect.net/images/650x/af/afz6110go46tbfa0.jpg"></p><p>"The United Nations is striving to build resilient societies and to support the most vulnerable members of society," Ban asserted &ndash; the first in many comments made throughout the event that compared the work of Aravena with the intergovernmental organization. "Se&ntilde;or Aravena is a pioneer in low cost social housing and in rebuilding cities after natural disasters.&rdquo;</p><p>Lord Peter Palumbo, the chair of Pritzker jury, followed Ban with a sentimental address. Beginning by paying respects ...</p>