American architect Richard Meier will be the first of the world’s leading architects to visit Australia next year for an international speaker series, commencing in Sydney on 23 February and Melbourne on 24 February.

The legendary New York-based architect will present to audiences as a guest of the Australian Institute of Architects.

A holder of the profession’s highest accolades, Meier has received a bevy of awards for his outstanding work - including the Pritzker Prize for Architecture, the Gold Medal from both the American Institute of Architects and the Royal Institute of British Architects, as well as the Praemium Imperiale from the Japan Art Association.

In 2009 he was awarded the President’s Medal from the Architectural League of New York.

Since establishing his practice in New York City in 1963, Meier’s work has encompassed major global commissions, including award-winning museums, corporate headquarters and housing and private residences.

Some of his most significant works include the Getty Center in Los Angeles, City Hall and Central Library in the Hague, and Museum of Contemporary Art in Barcelona.

“Richard Meier is a distinguished architect and Pritzker laureate, who has attracted enormous attention over several decades for his extraordinary work. This rare visit to Australia from Mr Meier will, no doubt, draw significant interest from both the public and profession alike, and is an exciting way to commence the 2010 series,” AIA president, Melinda Dodson, said.

Details: International Speaker Series — Richard Meier?23 February 2010, Sydney & 24 February 2010, Melbourne.

Tickets on sale: Friday 3 December 2009. For details, log on to architecture.com.au/internationalspeakerseries