On Tuesday night Spanish-born architect Santiago Calatrava received the coveted 2015 European Prize for Architecture, commemorating his visionary career that began in the early 1980s and includes dozens of iconic projects. Over a hundred design professionals and associates of Calatrava gathered in lower Manhattan, on the tenth floor of Seven World Trade Center in a space overlooking the site’s spindly transit hub—his hotly anticipated mixed-use project due for completion in the first half of 2016. The acclaimed architect was introduced by Christian Narkiewicz-Laine, president of the Chicago Athenaeum, which bestowed the honor in conjunction with the European Centre for Architecture, Art, Design, and Urban Studies.

“His buildings are not just buildings; they are powerful works of art, inspired by a master’s gifted hand and sculpted by a superior, critical eye,” remarked Narkiewicz-Laine, just before crowning Calatrava with a symbolic green wreath representing the accolade. Calatrava then delved into a presentation of his career highlights, including the Turning Torso in Malmö, Sweden; the Peace Bridge in Calgary, Canada; and the Puente de la Mujer in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Now in its sixth year, the European Prize for Architecture has previously been awarded to Danish wunderkind Bjarke Ingels and Italian designer Alessandro Mendini. The Metropolitan Arts Press will publish a catalogue of Calatrava’s works, which will be available through the European Center.