The Pritzker Prize: Who will win in 2026?

DATE

24.02.2026

Each year, an independent international jury selects a living architect whose built work demonstrates excellence, consistency, and a profound ability to enhance the built environment and improve people’s quality of life. The prize recognizes not only the formal quality of architectural projects, but also the vision, innovation, and cultural impact of the architect’s work.

Since its creation, the Pritzker Prize has distinguished architects from diverse cultural backgrounds, reflecting the wide range of approaches that define contemporary architecture. Below is the complete list of laureates:

1979 – Philip Johnson (United States)
1980 – Luis Barragán (Mexico)
1981 – James Stirling (United Kingdom)
1982 – Kevin Roche (Ireland)
1983 – Ieoh Ming Pei (United States)
1984 – Richard Meier (United States)
1985 – Hans Hollein (Austria)
1986 – Gottfried Böhm (Germany)
1987 – Kenzo Tange (Japan)
1988 – Gordon Bunshaft (United States) and Oscar Niemeyer (Brazil)
1989 – Frank Gehry (Canada/United States)
1990 – Aldo Rossi (Italy)
1991 – Robert Venturi (United States)
1992 – Álvaro Siza (Portugal)
1993 – Fumihiko Maki (Japan)
1994 – Christian de Portzamparc (France)
1995 – Tadao Ando (Japan)
1996 – Rafael Moneo (Spain)
1997 – Sverre Fehn (Norway)
1998 – Renzo Piano (Italy)
1999 – Norman Foster (United Kingdom)
2000 – Rem Koolhaas (Netherlands)
2001 – Herzog & de Meuron (Switzerland)
2002 – Glenn Murcutt (Australia)
2003 – Jørn Utzon (Denmark)
2004 – Zaha Hadid (United Kingdom)
2005 – Thom Mayne (United States)
2006 – Paulo Mendes da Rocha (Brazil)
2007 – Richard Rogers (United Kingdom)
2008 – Jean Nouvel (France)
2009 – Peter Zumthor (Switzerland)
2010 – SANAA (Japan)
2011 – Eduardo Souto de Moura (Portugal)
2012 – Wang Shu (China)
2013 – Toyo Ito (Japan)
2014 – Shigeru Ban (Japan)
2015 – Frei Otto (Germany)
2016 – Alejandro Aravena (Chile)
2017 – RCR Arquitectes (Spain)
2018 – Balkrishna Doshi (India)
2019 – Arata Isozaki (Japan)
2020 – Grafton Architects (Ireland)
2021 – Lacaton & Vassal (France)
2022 – Diébédo Francis Kéré (Burkina Faso)
2023 – David Chipperfield (United Kingdom)
2024 – Riken Yamamoto (Japan)
2025 – Liu Jiakun (China)

Each of these architects has contributed to expanding the boundaries of the discipline, introducing new ways of understanding space, materiality, and the relationship between architecture and society. Their work has trans-formed cities, landscapes, and cultures, consolidating the Pritzker Prize as the most influential recognition in the global architectural landscape.

Attention now turns to the next edition. The 2026 Pritzker Prize will be announced soon, as confirmed by the organization itself, which has indicated that the new laureate will be revealed in the coming weeks. Expectations are high within the architectural community. Following the recognition of Liu Jiakun in 2025, the inevitable ques-tion arises: who will be the next architect to receive this distinction?

Some observers point to figures who have maintained a consistent trajectory and sustained international influence over decades, while others suggest the jury may recognize architects working from less media-visible contexts, reinforcing the prize’s commitment to geographic and cultural diversity.

As every year, the announcement will not only honor an individual career, but will also offer insight into the current priorities and direction of architecture. The Pritzker Prize continues to represent, beyond recognition, a statement about the future of the discipline.

MARCH VALENCIA | ARQUITECTURA Y DISEÑO

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