"It’s going to be about gratitude and it’s going to be about joy": Watch Alejandro Aravena's Pritzker acceptance speech

2016-04-05T19:40:00-04:00

Yesterday, the Chilean architect Alejandro Aravena was awarded the Pritzker Prize during a ceremony at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City. Known for his socially-engaged practice, Elemental, Aravena will also serve as the curator for this summer's Venice Biennale.

“The work of this year’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.

"The United Nations is striving to build resilient societies and to support the most vulnerable members of society," Ban asserted – the first in many comments made throughout the event that compared the work of Aravena with the intergovernmental organization. "Señor Aravena is a pioneer in low cost social housing and in rebuilding cities after natural disasters.”

Lord Peter Palumbo, the chair of Pritzker jury, followed Ban with a sentimental address. Beginning by paying respects ...

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"It’s going to be about gratitude and it’s going to be about joy": Watch Alejandro Aravena's Pritzker acceptance speech