Wolf D. Prix, Design Principal of COOP HIMMELB(L)AU received the Austrian Decoration of Honor for Science and Art yesterday. The Federal President Dr. Heinz Fischer awarded Mr. Prix with the highest honour of the Republic of Austria within a ceremonial act at Hofburg Vienna.

According to the bylaws the Austrian Decoration of Honor for Science and Art (Österreichisches Ehrenzeichen für Wissenschaft und Kunst) is given to "persons from the interior or abroad who have received general recognition and a preeminent reputation due to outstanding creative achievements in the fields of Sciences or Arts”. The number of laureates is limited to 36 Austrians and 36 foreign nationals. They form two curiae, one for Sciences and one for the Arts. The decisive criterion for entering the curiae is an outstanding scientific or artistic attainment in the particular field.

In his acceptance speech Wolf D. Prix said: "For me the granting of the Decoration of Honour for Science and Art – as the name implies – means a high honour to me and plaudit for my work. I am honestly delighted and proud of the award as ‘forever young’ doesn’t apply to the person, so for me, but should be valid for the architecture I am standing for.”