"What, in my view, especially commends him as a candidate for the Gold Medal," said Harry Cobb, FAIA, founder of Pei Cobb Freed, "is his brilliantly demonstrated capacity to join his refined design sensibility to a rigorously exploratory theoretical project."
Steven Holl stated, "I am grateful, I am still beginning and I consider this award shared with all my collaborators. I feel this award is a positive advocacy to make theoretical explorations and experimental works. I was on the way to my final review at Columbia University when I received the call from Washington D.C. and felt it connected to my teaching and efforts toward education. I remember John Hejduk's statement that teaching is a social contract, and I remain committed to teaching."
Above: Cité de l’Océan et du Surf in Biarritz, France, photo by Iwan Baan.
Steven Holl leads Steven Holl Architects with partner Chris McVoy. With each project the firm explores new ways to integrate an organizing idea with the programmatic and functional essence of a building. Rather than imposing a style upon different sites and climates, or pursued irrespective of program, the unique character of a program and a site becomes the starting point for an architectural idea.
"Steven not only improves the built environment, he improves the field of architecture by constantly moving us forward," said Olson Kundig Architects' Tom Kundig, FAIA.
The AIA highlighted Steven Holl's 'humanist approach to formal experimentation' and his ability to 'tackle the urban-scale planning and development conundrums that define success in the built environment throughout the world.'
Steven Holl Architects – New York and Beijing
Founded in New York in 1976, Steven Holl Architects is an innovative 45-person architecture and urban design firm working globally as one office from two locations: New York City and Beijing. Steven Holl leads the office with partner Chris McVoy, who joined the office in 1993 and was named partner in 2000. Steven Holl Architects has realized architectural works nationally and overseas, with extensive experience in the arts (including museum, gallery and exhibition design), campus and educational facilities, and residential work. The firm has been internationally recognized with architecture's most prestigious awards for quality and excellence in design, and the work has been widely published and exhibited. Most recently completed is the Cité de l'Océan et du Surf with Solange Fabião (Biarritz, France), which opened in June 2011; and the Nanjing Museum of Art and Architecture opens in May 2012.