Who do you think will win the 2016 Pritzker Prize? Bustler + Archinect share our top predictions

It's awards season alright, and that includes the anticipated reveal of the Pritzker Prize laureate for 2016, which takes place this Wednesday, January 13. Established by the Pritzker family in 1979, the prize is dubbed as the "Nobel Prize" or "The Oscars" of architecture. Laureates receive a US$100,000 grant, a formal citation certificate, and a bronze medallion based on the designs of famed Chicago architect Louis Sullivan. 

But, the Pritzker isn't only a big deal in terms of prestige. It historically sparks debate — from questioning its significance in the field to guessing who could be the next architect to scoop up the prize. 

As the countdown dwindles down to the final hours, our sister site Archinect recently shared our top 2016 predictions. Read on for more below.

In no particular order, Archinect + Bustler's 2016 front-runners are: Diller Scofidio + Renfro, Kengo Kuma, Santiago Calatrava, David Adjaye, Michael Maltzan, and (of course) Steven Holl. 

Without a doubt, Archinect readers flocked to the comments section to voice their initial thoughts. Here are some stand-outs:

"I trust the jury, made up of many of the best practitioners... Glen Murcutt, Benedetta Tagliabue, Richard Rogers (!). The media seems to dredge up the same 'it' choices that real practitioners scoff at. Other than Holl and Adjaye, both deserving, (Calatrava may be too controversial), their choices are usually spot on. would like to see SHoP, Tod Williams Billie Tsien, Holl. Adjaye, or perhaps Bohlin."

"I'm for Safdie. Nice guy, pragmatic but poetic, untrendy but distinct style. Certainly a solid career of making architecture out of good buildings. The last few years have shown a preference for architects doing their own thing without much notice outside architecture circles. I think DSR, Calatrava and Holl are all too big-name for the jury's tastes. Adjaye too, though I wouldn't rule it out as he matures. Kengo Kuma totally fits the mold. A lot of East Asian winners recently. I don't see what Michael Maltzan does as being quite so aesthetic as most laureates. I could also see Dominic Perrault or Alberto Campo Baeza, for simply doing a lot of elegant spaces within a fairly local context. If Holl belongs on the list, then so does Ben van Berkel. But unless the jury has changed I don't they are looking at that kind of work." 

"Think BIG will win. He has changed architecture, made it more fun, awesome, and playful.... according to a TED talk I saw somewhere."

"The Pritzker is actually at its best when it's pretty conservative. By that I don't mean rewarding aesthetic conservatism but honoring a compelling, lifetime body of work over flashy TED talks and Instagram posts. Even when the more provocative winners like Rem win, it's not until he had the built work to (almost) equal his intellectual endeavors like SMLXL. I actually rather like that, as opposed to handing out awards for the Next Big Thing every time."

Find out more about our selections on Archinect. What are your Pritzker predictions? Share your thoughts in the comments below.