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Lacaton and Vassal win 2021 Pritzker Prize for sustainable social housing transformations.

award · 2026-04-20

The 2021 Pritzker Prize has been awarded to the French architectural team of Anne Lacaton and Jean-Philippe Vassal, known for their firm Lacaton & Vassal, established in Paris in 1987. Their work is renowned for its sustainable practices, emphasizing refurbishment instead of demolition, as outlined in their 2004 manifesto which states, “never demolish, never remove or replace, always add, transform, and reuse!” Notable projects include the Latapie House in Floirac, a residence in Cap Ferret, and the Palais de Tokyo gallery's 2012 expansion in Paris. Their efforts have revitalized post-war social housing like Grand Parc Bordeaux and have had international housing projects. The jury praised their ability to address urgent climatic, ecological, and social issues in urban environments.

Key facts

  • Anne Lacaton and Jean-Philippe Vassal won the 2021 Pritzker Prize
  • Their architecture firm Lacaton & Vassal was founded in 1987 in Paris
  • They advocate for refurbishment over demolition in a 2004 manifesto
  • Notable projects include the Latapie House in Floirac and the Palais de Tokyo expansion in 2012
  • They have transformed social housing like the Grand Parc Bordeaux in France
  • The Pritzker Prize was established in 1979 by the Pritzker family through the Hyatt Foundation
  • The first Pritzker laureate was Philip Johnson
  • The 2021 jury included Alejandro Aravena, Kazuyo Sejima, and Wang Shu

Entities

Artists

  • Anne Lacaton
  • Jean-Philippe Vassal
  • Philip Johnson
  • Yvonne Farrell
  • Shelley McNamara
  • Alejandro Aravena
  • Barry Bergdoll
  • Deborah Berke
  • Stephen Breyer
  • André Aranha Corrêa do Lago
  • Kazuyo Sejima
  • Benedetta Tagliabue
  • Wang Shu
  • Martha Thorne

Institutions

  • Lacaton & Vassal
  • Palais de Tokyo
  • Hyatt Foundation
  • Pritzker Prize

Locations

  • Paris
  • France
  • Floirac
  • Cap Ferret
  • Bordeaux

Sources