Columbia, Maryland (May 4, 2009)—Nemetschek North America is pleased to announce that Swiss Vectorworks user Peter Zumthor has been chosen as the 2009 Laureate of the Pritzker Architecture Prize. Peter Zumthor has been a Vectorworks user since 2002.

The Pritzker Architecture Prize is awarded each year to a living architect for significant achievement and was established by the Pritzker family of Chicago through their Hyatt Foundation in 1979. Often referred to as "architecture's Nobel" and "the profession's highest honor," it is granted annually.

The award consists of $100,000 (US) and a bronze medallion. Traditionally, a ceremony is held at an international, architecturally significant site. This year, the ceremony will be held on May 29th, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where Mr. Zumthor will receive his award.

In announcing the jury's choice, Thomas J. Pritzker, chairman of The Hyatt Foundation, quoted from the jury citation, "Peter Zumthor is a master architect admired by his colleagues around the world for work that is focused, uncompromising, and exceptionally determined." And he added, "All of Peter Zumthor's buildings have a strong, timeless presence. He has a rare talent of combining clear and rigorous thought with a truly poetic dimension, resulting in works that never cease to inspire."

For more information about the Pritzker Prize, please visit: www.pritzkerprize.com/laureates/2009/index.html

Nemetschek North America is a wholly owned subsidiary of Nemetschek AG. A global leader in design technologies, Nemetschek North America has been developing CAD software for the AEC, entertainment, landscape design, and manufacturing fields since 1985. For more information, visit www.vectorworks.net