Alejandro Aravena received the 2016 Pritzker Architecture Prize, with the jury stating his work “epitomizes the revival of a more socially engaged architect, especially in his long-term commitment to tackling the global housing crisis and fighting for a better urban environment for all.” In this video, Aravena shares insight into his philosophy toward design in challenging projects. Aravena highlights the importance of engaging with the community, stating it is imperative to “identify with precision what is the right question. There is nothing worse than answering well the wrong question.”
Sarah is an urban planner and artist from Melbourne Australia, currently living in Seattle. She has contributed to diverse long-term projects addressing housing, transportation, community facilities, heritage and public spaces with extensive consultation with communities and other stakeholders. Her articles for The Urbanist focus on her passion for the design of sustainable, inviting and inclusive places, drawing on her research and experiences around the world.