Praemium Imperiale Laureate for architecture 2008: Peter Zumthor

Peter Zumthor named as architecture's Praemium Imperiale Laureate for architecture by the Japan Art Association on September 16th.

Speaking at the announcement, acting chairman of the Japan Art Associations Hisashi Hieda said: 'Twenty years ago, the Japan Art Association established the Praemium Imperiale to honour artists whose work has touched and inspired people across the globe. Swiss architect Zumthor is now part of a distinguished list of practitioners to be bestowed with Japan's cultural gong, including IM Pei, James Stirling, Frank Gehry, Álvaro Siza and Tadao Ando.

The award, at £75,000, is the richest in the architecture industry.
more about the Praemium Imperiale