On the 8th, late in the afternoon, I learned the good news that the 2015 National Architecture Prize, award , had been awarded to José Rafael Moneo Vallés. The information was accompanied by a brief justification of the award which detailed that, "in testimony to the quality of his work, recognized in Spain and beyond our borders, for his contribution to architectural thought, as well as for his teaching in the most prestigious universities around the world". A statement that undoubtedly does justice.

Beyond the peculiarity that already in 1961 the architect Navarro obtained this recognition, then directed to the project of Centro de Restauraciones Artística in Madrid in which he collaborated with the brilliant Fernando Higueras, the award now underlines the architect's complete professional - and academic - trajectory. The recognition thus adds to a long history of awards such as the Principe de Viana in 1993, the award Mies van der Rohe in 2001, the gold medals of the International Union of Architects in 1996, of the Royal Institute of British Architects in 2003 and of the committee Superior de Colegios de Arquitectos de España in 2006, the Prince of Asturias in 2012, or the one that undoubtedly stands out among them all, the award Pritzker in 1996, the only Spaniard to win this "unofficial Nobel" of architecture.

As we have been reminded by the numerous reviews that are appearing in the press, Moneo's work is full of beautiful buildings such as the Museum of Roman Art in Merida, the Cathedral of Los Angeles or the Kursaal auditorium in San Sebastian, among many other works. Here in Pamplona, for example, barely a year ago he inaugurated the Museum of the University of Navarra, a magnificent building that houses, among other collections, the bequest of María Josefa Huarte and the photographic collection of José Ortiz-Echagüe.

Fortunately for those of us who are part of the University of Navarra, and especially of its School of Architecture, we have been able to get to know Rafael Moneo a little better thanks to the numerous occasions on which he has come: conferences, thesis courts, courses on the theory of Architecture or project courses. The last time we had him with us was on the occasion of the events celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of School of Architecture which he generously attended at the end of last year. 

All these occasions have allowed us to see samples and details of the architect's enormous academic stature; perhaps the least known facet of the Navarrese architect. In this sense, it is worth highlighting his great commitment to the Academy throughout his degree program: his teaching from his Chair in the School of Architecture of Barcelona, in the beginning, or in the Chair of Madrid, later, until his appointment as Chairman of the department of Architecture of the GSD of Harvard only confirm the enormous work -and generosity-, dedicated to the training of other architects. Only those who have been able to observe him in the performance of the teaching can verify the great rigor and discipline with which he undertakes this academic task, which is not necessarily as lucid as that of the facet of designer and builder. As an example, I take the licence to put in writing the memory of the meticulousness and care with which he reviewed his notes before giving theoretical lessons in our School a few years ago, although I am totally convinced that D. Rafael knew and remembered perfectly all the details of the class he was going to give.

Congratulations, therefore, Master Moneo, on this latest award.