For Immediate Release: May 12, 2008
Media Contact: Marketing and Communication Department
Spotlight on Design - Jean Nouvel: Media Advisory
WHAT
2008 Pritzker Architecture Laureate Jean Nouvel will speak at the National Building Museum on Tuesday, June 3, 2008 at 7:00 pm as part of the Museum's popular Spotlight on Design lecture series. The Pritzker Architecture Prize, one of architecture's greatest honors, was established by The Hyatt Foundation in 1979 to annually honor a living architect whose built work demonstrates a combination of the qualities of talent, vision, and commitment, which has produced consistent and significant contributions to humanity and the built environment through the art of architecture. "This event is the result of a great collaboration between the National Building Museum and The Hyatt Foundation. We are fortunate that Mr. Nouvel has agreed to present his work to a public audience at Museum the day after the prize ceremony," said Chase W. Rynd, president and executive director, National Building Museum.
Mr. Nouvel joins an accomplished group of Pritzker Prize Laureates who have spoken at the Museum, including Tadao Ando, Frank Gehry, Zaha Hadid, Rem Koolhaas, Paulo Mendes da Rocha, Glenn Murcutt, and I.M. Pei. The jury citation noted, "For over 30 years, Jean Nouvel has pushed architecture's discourse and praxis to new limits. His inquisitive and agile mind propels him to take risks in each of his projects, which, regardless of varying degrees of success, have greatly expanded the vocabulary of contemporary architecture." Mr. Nouvel, who achieved international acclaim with the completion of his Institut du Monde Arabe (IMA) in 1987 in Paris now has many projects in the United States, including the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis; Tour de Verre, a 75-story tower, in progress, next door to MoMA in New York; and he recently announced plans for SunCal Tower, a high-rise condominium in Los Angeles.
Spotlight on Design is sponsored by Lafarge, the world leader in construction materials, with additional support from the American Institute of Architects. The Museum also acknowledges the support and collaboration of the American Architectural Foundation for this special program.
WHO
Jean Nouvel, 2008 Pritzker Architecture Prize Laurate
WHERE
National Building Museum
401 F Street NW
Washington, DC 20001 (Judiciary Square Metro, Red Line)
WHEN
Tuesday, June 3, 2008 / 7:00 – 8:30 pm: Lecture
TICKETS
Prepaid registration required. $20 Museum members; $30 non-members; $10 students.
Members only advance registration begins April 28 / General registration begins May 12. To register, visit www.nbm.org or call 202.272.2448. Due to the anticipated popularity of this event, certain restrictions apply to ticket purchases. Please visit www.nbm.org for details.
BACKGROUND
Spotlight on Design is an ongoing series featuring architects and designers of distinction from around the world. Spotlight includes a lecture series and documentation of each presentation. Since its inception in 1997, the series has presented many of the world's premier design voices in the fields of architecture, landscape architecture, urban planning and design, including Pritzker Prize Laureates Tadao Ando, Frank Gehry, Zaha Hadid, Rem Koolhaas, I.M. Pei, and Glenn Murcutt, and other acclaimed designers.
The National Building Museum is America’s leading cultural institution dedicated to advancing the quality of the built environment by educating people about its impact on their lives. Through its exhibitions, educational programs, online content, and publications, the Museum has become a vital forum for the exchange of ideas and information about the world we build for ourselves. Public inquiries: 202.272.2448 or visit www.nbm.org. Connect with us on Twitter: @BuildingMuseum and Facebook.
