Chinese architect Wang Shu has won this year's Pritzker Architecture Prize, becoming the firstChinese citizen to receive the prize, BBC reported.
Wang is recognized for museums, libraries and other structures of his design across China.
His work was commended for being aesthetically striking and environmentally sustainable at atime of fast-paced urbanization in China.
He will be awarded US$100,000 (£63,000) at a ceremony in Beijing in May.
Past winners include Frank Gehry, Tadao Ando, Renzo Piano and Eduardo Souto de Moura.
"The selection of Wang Shu reflects the jury's view that his work represents that standard ofexcellence which will be so critical to China's future," said Thomas J. Pritzer, chairman of theHyatt Foundation which sponsors the prize.
Mr Wang's work included the Library of Wenzheng College at Suzhou University, the NingboContemporary Art Museum, the Ningbo History Museum, and the Vertical Courtyard Apartmentsin Hangzhou.
Mr Wang is head of the architecture department of the China Academy of Art in Hangzho andruns his Amateur Architecture Studio firm with his wife, Lu Wenyu.
