by Michael J. Crosbie

In April, about two weeks before his 66th birthday, Swiss architect Peter Zumthor was named the 2009 laureate of the Pritzker Architecture Prize. Zumthor is not a household name, as many other Pritzker winners have been — architects such as Gehry, Meier, and Pei. Even many architects haven't heard of him.

But Zumthor has been described as an "architect's architect." His works are not numerous, given a practice of over 30 years, but each one is carefully crafted, materially exquisite, and atmospherically evocative.

Known as the "Nobel Prize of Architecture," the Pritzker Prize has gained a reputation of anointing architects who are already stars with high public profiles. But the Pritzker jury has on occasion selected architects who are less known outside architectural circles — practitioners such as Paulo Mendes da Rocha of Brazil and Jean Nouvel of France.   >>>

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SUBSCRIPTION SAMPLE Peter Zumthor designed the Therme Vals spa in Vals, Switzerland. Photo: Hélène Binet Extra Large Image The 2009 Pritzker Prize was awarded to Swiss architect Peter Zumthor. Photo: Gary Ebner Extra Large Image   Click on thumbnail images to view full-size pictures.