Glenn Murcutt, a name synonymous with a uniquely Australian style of architecture, has been appointed chairman of the Pritzker Prize, architecture's top global award.

Murcutt will take over from Lord Peter Palumbo, who has been in the role for 11 years.

Murcutt himself won the Pritzker in 2002, and is the only Australian to have received the prestigious accolade. He has been on the Pritzker jury since 2010. Other jury members include US Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, Chinese architect Yung Ho Chang, Indian businessman Ratan N Tata, and British architect Richard Rogers, who won in 2007.

The appointment was announced in New York on Monday night, at a ceremony to announce this year's winner of the prize, Alejandro Aravena, a Chilean architect specialising in social housing.

Winners receive US$100,000 ($131,000) and a medallion.

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