Herzog & De Meuron , 2001 Pritzker Architecture Prize / Acceptance Speech

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''In 1978, Pierre and I opened our joint architectural office, but it was neither a historical decision nor a momentous founding event. During our last semestre at the Federal Institute of Technology, we had already realized that we had a great deal in common. The fact that we struck out on our own was more or less an act of rebellion and desperation. What else were we to do?
The economy was not very rosy and architecture both at home and abroad seemed forign to us. We had no idea what we wanted, we only knew what we didn't want. ''

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