He was very thankful for the award, which he said was «a huge honour and a wonderful recognition of the importance of design as a catalyst for improving quality of life.»
British star architect Norman Foster has won the Prince of Asturias Arts Prize, the most prestigious award in Spain.
The Prince of Asturias Foundation said on Wednesday that Foster’s work brings together aesthetic quality and intellectual rigor «through an original mastery of space, light and materials.» The architect and designer, who said the award was «a huge honour and a wonderful recognition of the importance of design as a catalyst in improving the quality of life,» will receive the prize in the Spanish city of Oviedo in October.
Among Baron Foster of Thames Bank’s works are the crystal dome of the Reichstag, or German Parliament in Berlin, Hong Kong and Beijing airports, Swiss Re and Caja Madrid towers in London and Madrid respectively, La Poterie metro station in Rennes, France, the Valencia Congress Centre or the Bilbao’s metro.
The foundation, which is named for Spain’s Crown Prince Felipe, announced the award in the northern city of Oviedo, Asturias. The institution hands out eight such awards each year in categories including literature, communications, sports and scientific research.
Each prize includes a $50,000 ($68,000) cash award and a sculpture by Joan Miro. Previous winners in the arts category include Bob Dylan in 2007 and Woody Allen in 2002.