A video of the special Pritzker Architecture Prize ceremony honoring this year’s laureate David Chipperfield has been shared with Archinect, following the culmination of the event held this May from the Ancient Agora in Athens.

Chipperfield spoke to a crowd who were assembled at the cultural site in honor of the 45th year of the Pritzker Prize, which has been presented annually by the Hyatt Foundation since its establishment in 1979. 

Video courtesy of The Hyatt Foundation/The Pritzker Architecture Prize

“My debts are enormous,” he began in stating. “I’m thankful for this prize but even more thankful for the wonderful journey that got me here... Architectural practice depends not only on creative talent but just as much on the collaboration of individuals within the studio and without. It has been a journey of privilege.”

Other speakers in the documentary-style video include Greek First Lady and designer Mareva Grabowski; Hyatt Foundation Chairman Tom Pritzker; and the Prize’s Jury Chair and 2016 Laureate Alejandro Aravena. Former winners Francis Kéré, Shelley McNamara, and Norman Foster are among the ten colleagues who spoke of their admiration and personal experiences with Chipperfield’s designs. 

Jurors contributed further reflections on his career, highlighted by Deborah Berke’s comment that his work had provided a “brilliant constant” in architecture throughout the past four decades. 

This year’s ceremony also honored the end of Benedetta Tagliabue’s nine-year service on the jury. 

A look at Chipperfield's forthcoming National Archaeological Museum in Athens can be found here.