2007年VOA标准英语-Architect Richard Rogers Wins Pritzker Prize

By Cathrine Drew
London
07 June 2007
 

The Italian-born, British architect Richard Rogers has been awarded this year's Pritzker Prize, the world's most prestigious¹ prize in architecture. The jury cited the 73-year-old Rogers as "a champion of urban life who believes in the city as a catalyst² for social change." Catherine Drew reports from London.

Richard Rogers's work is immediately recognizable.

Most famous perhaps is his first major work -- the Centre Pompidou in Paris -- that he designed with the Italian architect Renzo Piano.

 

Its radical³ design with many of the building's functions set on the outside was extremely controversial in the early 1970s.  Now it is seen as a landmark⁴ that transformed a museum from an elite⁵ monument to a place of social and cultural exchange.

Rogers says he has fond memories of his time in Paris. "Clearly it was a very exciting period. It was a period of political upheaval⁶ in the 60s and it was also a period where people were looking at how to repair a city and the society.   Paris gave us an opportunity to do a building, which was a very public building, which was my principle interest, but to also heal a small part of a city, which is a pretty unusual thing in your early 30s."

Rogers says he did not receive any new commissions for two years after completing the Centre Pompidou and considered giving up on architecture.  Since that time, though, he has established offices in Spain and Japan and received commissions from all over the world.

Lloyds building

Another major urban project that followed the Pompidou can be seen to continue some similar themes.  The Lloyds building in London, completed in 1986, is often cited as cementing Rogers's architectural reputation.

The Pritzker jury considers an architect's entire body of work in awarding the prize and its $100,000 grant.  

Martha Thorn is executive director of the Pritzker prize. "Why Lord Rogers and not someone else? That is a decision the jury makes, and while I can't reveal the discussions, I can indicate some of the things that did impress them.   Certainly his commitment to sustainability, his commitment to communities, in other words his understanding of broader issues, as seeing architecture not just as an individual building, but as a building block of a community, of a city, of a region."

Rogers' Terminal Four for Madrid's Barajas airport also won the acclaimed⁷ Sterling⁸ prize last year. The prize honors the building seen as most significant in the evolution of architecture.    Rogers has advised both the Spanish and British authorities on city planning and design.  "I have been working very hard on cities in Britain.  Ninety percent of people, in England specifically, 90 percent of us live in cities. Cities have had a tremendously difficult time.  People have been leaving cities. That is a disaster for cities.  We have put programs together to attract people back to cities and people are moving back to city centers."

Current major projects by Rogers and partners include Tower Three of the World Trade Center.  Rogers says it is designed to create the effect of reaching into the sky.

Hattie Hartman is one of the editors of the publication The Architect's Journal and says, "Many architects have a dedication⁹ to art. Many Pritzker prizewinners have had a more narrow view of their profession and are interested in the art of architecture. But Rogers has interest in architecture in its widest sense and I think that is very much to be applauded." 

Later in the year, the Centre Pompidou in Paris will stage an exhibition of Rogers's work.

1 prestigious   

adj.有威望的，有声望的，受尊敬的

参考例句：

• The young man graduated from a prestigious university.这个年轻人毕业于一所名牌大学。
• You may even join a prestigious magazine as a contributing editor.甚至可能会加入一个知名杂志做编辑。

2 catalyst   

n.催化剂，造成变化的人或事

参考例句：

• A catalyst is a substance which speeds up a chemical reaction.催化剂是一种能加速化学反应的物质。
• The workers'demand for better conditions was a catalyst for social change.工人们要求改善工作条件促进了社会变革。

3 radical   

n.激进份子，原子团，根号；adj.根本的，激进的，彻底的

参考例句：

• The patient got a radical cure in the hospital.病人在医院得到了根治。
• She is radical in her demands.她的要求十分偏激。

4 landmark   

n.陆标，划时代的事，地界标

参考例句：

• The Russian Revolution represents a landmark in world history.俄国革命是世界历史上的一个里程碑。
• The tower was once a landmark for ships.这座塔曾是船只的陆标。

5 elite   

n.精英阶层；实力集团；adj.杰出的，卓越的

参考例句：

• The power elite inside the government is controlling foreign policy.政府内部的一群握有实权的精英控制着对外政策。
• We have a political elite in this country.我们国家有一群政治精英。

6 upheaval   

n.胀起，(地壳)的隆起；剧变，动乱

参考例句：

• It was faced with the greatest social upheaval since World War Ⅱ.它面临第二次世界大战以来最大的社会动乱。
• The country has been thrown into an upheaval.这个国家已经陷入动乱之中。

7 acclaimed   

adj.受人欢迎的

参考例句：

• They acclaimed him as the best writer of the year. 他们称赞他为当年的最佳作者。
• Confuscius is acclaimed as a great thinker. 孔子被赞誉为伟大的思想家。

8 sterling   

adj.英币的(纯粹的，货真价实的)；n.英国货币(英镑)

参考例句：

• Could you tell me the current rate for sterling, please?能否请您告诉我现行英国货币的兑换率？
• Sterling has recently been strong,which will help to abate inflationary pressures.英国货币最近非常坚挺，这有助于减轻通胀压力。

9 dedication   

n.奉献，献身，致力，题献，献辞

参考例句：

• We admire her courage,compassion and dedication.我们钦佩她的勇气、爱心和奉献精神。
• Her dedication to her work was admirable.她对工作的奉献精神可钦可佩。