(Venice - Sept. 7, 2002) Ms. Zhang Xin from China won the 'Special Prize for an individual patron of architectural works' at the 8th International Architecture Exhibition of la Biennale di Venezia. The Chairman of the International Jury announced at the exhibition's opening ceremony that the award was presented to Zhang in recognition of her "bold personal initiative (that) emphasizes the role of 12 Asian architects in building privately-owned houses in a definitively contemporary manner."
This was the first time a Biennale prize was awarded to a non-architect.
Besides the Special Prize for Zhang Xin, the International Jury of the 8th International Architecture Exhibition, presided over by Terence Riley, awarded the following prizes at 5pm Venice time in front of a great number of honored guests and journalists:
Golden Lion for the Best Project awarded to Portuguese architect Alvaro Siza Vieira.
Golden Lion for the Best Foreign Pavilion awarded to the Dutch Pavilion.
Special Prize for Governmental Patronage was given to the City of Barcelona.
Special Mention was given to Next Mexico City: the Lakes Project.
Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement awarded to the renown Japanese architect Toyo Ito.
In response to questions from the press, Zhang Xin said: "This is not an award for me alone. Rather, it is an award from the world to China. The theme of this year's architecture exhibition is NEXT. Many Asian architects were recognized because their works represent the future."
Mr Pan Shiyi also said happily: "Going into the 21st century, there is a lot
of room for China's architectural art to develop. This is especially true as
the focus of the world's architecture shifts to Asia."
This was the first time a major Chinese architectural project was invited to
la Biennale di Venezia. To the surprise of the public, a Biennale prize was
awarded to a Chinese recipient. What's more, among the 5 prizes, 2 were awarded
to Asians, implying that Asian architecture is becoming more important to the
future of world architecture.
The Commune by the Great Wall is an avant-garde architectural project developed by Zhang Xin, president, and Pan Shiyi, chairman of SOHO China Ltd. 12 outstanding Asian architects designed the buildings at the Commune.
