The 2014 Serpentine Gallery Pavilion in London, constructed from a translucent fiberglass shell resting on large quarry stones, remains one of the most identifiable structures produced by Smiljan Radić. This Chilean architect, born in Santiago in 1965, has built a career centered on experimental construction methods and the relationship between public installations and their environmental surroundings.
Education and Early Practice
Radić attended St. Ignatius El Bosque before enrolling at the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, where he graduated in 1989. Between 1990 and 1992, he continued his studies at the IUAV University of Venice in Italy. He established his professional practice in Santiago in 1995. During his university years, he began a long-standing collaboration with sculptor Marcela Correa, whom he later married. Their shared creative output integrates architectural planning with sculptural concepts, as seen in projects like Casa Chica, completed in 1997.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →Materiality and Public Projects
The architect frequently utilizes concrete, stone, timber, glass, and fiberglass to define the character of his buildings. His portfolio includes residential homes such as Pite House in Papudo and Copper House 2 in Talca, both finished mid-decade in the early 2000s. Moving toward public and cultural infrastructure, he completed the Biobío Theater in Concepción and the NAVE performing arts center in Santiago. In 2017, he founded the Fundación de Arquitectura Frágil in Santiago to support research and exhibitions regarding experimental architectural interventions.
International Recognition
Radić has received numerous accolades throughout his career, including the Architectural Record Design Vanguard Award in 2008 and the Arnold W. Brunner Memorial Prize in 2018. In 2026, he was awarded the Pritzker Architecture Prize and the National Architecture Award of Chile alongside Alejandro Aravena. He is a corresponding member of the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts and an honorary member of the American Institute of Architects. His work has been displayed in international exhibitions spanning Tokyo, Hiroshima, Zagreb, and New York.
Fast facts
- Born: 1965, Santiago, Chile
- Education: Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, IUAV University of Venice
- Notable work: Serpentine Gallery Pavilion 2014
- Professional partner: Marcela Correa
- Pritzker Architecture Prize: 2026
- Arnold W. Brunner Memorial Prize: 2018
- Institutional role: Member of the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts
- Fields of work: Architecture, painting, conferencier
Questions readers ask
What is the focus of the Fundación de Arquitectura Frágil?
Established by Radić in 2017, the foundation organizes exhibitions and research activities focused on experimental architecture.
Which materials are central to the work of Smiljan Radić?
His designs often incorporate concrete, stone, timber, glass, and fiberglass to emphasize the relationship between structures and their landscapes.
Achievements
- Pritzker Architecture Prize — 2026
- Notable work: Biobío Theater
- Notable work: Serpentine Gallery Pavilion 2014
- Notable work: Barrio Cívico de Concepción
- Educated at Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, IUAV University of Venice and St. Ignatius El Bosque
- Worked as architect, painter and conferencier
