Pritzker Prize to Smiljan Radic
Chilean architect Smiljan Radic Clarke won the 2026 Pritzker Architecture Prize, architecture's equivalent to the Nobel Prize [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/12/arts/design/smiljan-radic-pritzker-prize-architecture.html]. He's known for "fragile" designs blending wind, light, stone, and timber, creating a sense of impermanence [https://www.architectmagazine.com/design/pritzker-prize-2026-architectures-quietest-radical-takes-the-crown]. His notable works include the Teatro Regional del Bío-Bío in Chile and installations at the Venice Biennale [https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2026-03-12/smiljan-radic-known-for-his-chilean-architecture-wins-2026-pritzker-prize].
Radić's win marks a departure from recent Pritzker Prizes that have favored architects with a strong social practice. Jury chair Alejandro Aravena noted Radić's ability to bring us "to the innermost core of the built environment and the human condition" despite working with few collaborators from "the edge of the world". The jury also emphasized Radić's architecture reminds us that architecture is an art. Radić himself expressed surprise at the award, calling it "a huge honor" while also anticipating the increased exposure. He described his work as existing between "large, massive, and enduring forms" and "smaller, fragile constructions," striving to create experiences that carry emotional presence. His architecture seeks to encourage people to pause and reconsider the world. Some of Radić's notable works include the Teatro Regional del Bío-Bío, the NAVE arts hall in Santiago, and the 2014 Serpentine Pavilion in London. He also designed the Alexander McQueen stage for the brand's Spring Summer 2022 show in London. Radić's wife, sculptor Marcela Correa, has collaborated with him on several projects, including Casa Chica, a small house they built by hand in the Andes Mountains.
