The Royal Academy of Arts in London announced that Elizabeth Diller and Ricardo Scofidio have been awarded the 2019 Royal Academy Architecture Prize, honouring their inspiring and enduring contribution to the culture of architecture.
The judging panel wished to celebrate an inspiring partnership that from its inception has been passionately committed to interdisciplinary work that expands architectural ideas and urban culture. With their practice, the work of Diller Scofidio + Renfro consistently demonstrates how buildings can enhance cities and capture the public imagination.
Now in their second year, the awards are decided by a distinguished international jury, chaired by architect and Royal Academician Alan Stanton. Jury members included artist Phyllida Barlow RA, writer and academic Ricky Burdett, architect Louisa Hutton RA, educator and author Lesley Lokko, and BBC broadcaster Kirsty Wark.
The Royal Academy is also pleased to share the shortlist for the first Royal Academy Dorfman Award, which is awarded to an emerging architect, practice or collective who are re-imagining the future of architecture.
The four finalists include:
Fernanda Canales (Mexico)
Alice Casey and Cian Deegan, TAKA (Ireland)
Mariam Kamara, Atelier Masōmī (Niger)
Boomserm Premthada, Bangkok Project Studio (Thailand)
Whether collaborating with local craftspeople, rethinking the fundamentals of domestic architecture or exploring the language of materials in connection to social ritual, the finalists’ work is characterised by a high degree of sensitivity to local and global context. Thus, the finalists show the varied nature of architecture being produced across the world, but also bring out the ideas and strands that connect practices working in very different conditions.
From April 12–May 27 the Royal Academy will host Architectural Futures, a display showing the work of the four finalists in the Architecture Studio. The public will be given a window into their practice, local culture and work through models, images, films, books and personal artefacts. Visitors will have the chance to vote for their favourite and the people’s choice winner will be announced during Awards Week.
Taking place from May 13–17, Awards Week will be a week-long public celebration, which includes the live judging and announcement of the winner of the Royal Academy Dorfman Award, and a lecture by Elizabeth Diller and Ricardo Scofidio, the winners of the Royal Academy Architecture Prize. The week will also feature talks and workshops with the visiting architects, cultivating cultural exchange and awareness.
Founding partner: The Dorfman Foundation
Headline sponsor: Derwent London
International partner: The British Council
