German architect Frei Otto has passed away and received the Pritzker Prize

Young architects Kratochvíl and Šmídek in front of the Institut für Leichte Flächentragwerke in Stuttgart (summer 2002).

Berlin - Two months before his 90th birthday, the renowned German architect Frei Otto passed away on Monday. This was announced today by the committee awarding the most prestigious architectural prize in the world, the Pritzker Prize, which the designer of the roof of the Olympic complex in Munich was set to receive this year.
    The architect, who gained fame particularly for his daring roof structures, first came to public attention in the 1960s with his design for the German pavilion at the World Expo in Montreal. His probably most famous work became the suspended roof of the Munich stadium, which was built for the Olympics in 1972. He also has to his credit a multifunctional hall in Mannheim, Tuwaik Palace in Saudi Arabia, and the roof of the Japanese pavilion for the Expo in Hanover in 2000.
    The committee awarding the Pritzker Prize recognized him for "visionary ideas, a curious mind, and a belief in sharing knowledge and ideas." According to the committee, it has never happened in the history of the prize that the architect has passed away between the decision on the prize holder and its presentation; this year, the award will be given posthumously for the first time.