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Fiona Monkman of Islington Architects awarded the MJ Long Prize for Excellence in Practice 2022

2022-05-03T15:40:00-04:00

Part of the W Awards program, the annual MJ Long Prize for Excellence in Practice recognizes UK-based architects excelling in practice. Last year's prize was awarded to Alice Brownfield of Peter Barber Architects. Now in its third iteration, this year's award recipient is Fiona Monkman of Islington Architects for her work on the Centurion Close social housing block in London.

Monkman is the design team leader at Islington Architects, a part of the architecture department at Islington Council. A site that was deemed "unviable for developers" was transformed thanks to the leadership of Monkman and her team. The housing project added eight two-bedroom council flats to the existing estate, helping address much-needed housing solutions within inner London.

Image © Martina Ferrera. Image courtesy of The Architectural Review.

AR writer Ruth Lang commented on Monkman's work on Centurion Close stating: "What is most evident i...

The 2021 W Awards announces the MJ Long Prize Winner

2021-03-09T13:51:00-05:00

In honor of American architect, writer, and lecturer MJ Long, the MJ Long Prize is awarded to a UK-based female architect that has excelled in practice. Now in its second year, the award's inaugural recipient went to Tracy Meller of Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners. This year, the W Awards announces Alice Brownfield as the 2021 winner. Brownfield is the associate director of Peter Barber Architects and was recognized for her work on the London infill housing project, Kiln Place.

According to Brownfield, the project's success was due to the architects' collaboration with the residents. "What we really need is a central government-funded mass council housing program," says Brownfield. "At Peter Barber Architects, we believe that architecture has the potential for social action."

The Judges for this year's prize discuss Bronwfield's work and her success as a practitioner. "Despite the project’s high degree of complexity, there is a real sense she goes above and beyond what might be req...

Shortlist for the Moira Gemmill and MJ Long Prizes highlight female architects to watch

2021-01-22T16:15:00-05:00

Following the announcement of this year's Jane Drew Prize for Architecture and the Ada Louise Huxtable Prize the W Awards, formerly known as the Women in Architecture awards, announces its shortlist for the Moira Gemmill Prize and the MJ Long Prize.

Recognizing the work and design excellence of designers under the age of 45 the Moira Gemmil Prize has been awarded to influential architects such as Francesca Torzo, Rozana Montiel, and Xu Tiantian amongst others.

Below is this year's Moira Gemmil Prize shortlist:

Nerea Amorós Elorduy, founder of Creative Assemblages, based in Uganda

Nerea Amorós Elorduy, founder of Creative Assemblages, based in Uganda. Pictured here is Mwito School. Credit:Nerea Amoros Eldoruy/Courtesy of W Awards

Cristina Monteiro, co-founder of DK-CM, based in the UK

Cristina Monteiro, co-founder of DK-CM, based in the UK. Pictured here is Harrow Arts Centre Credit:Neil Perry/Courtesy of W Awards

Ana Clemente, Laura Lluch, Núria Vila, Eulàlia Daví, Ariadna Artigas, ...

2020 W Awards celebrate design excellence while showcasing architecture's female voices

2020-03-11T13:49:00-04:00

Formerly known as the Women in Architecture awards, the W Awards continuously celebrates and profiles the industry's female trailblazers, leaders, and emerging architects. Since its start in 2012, the award program has aimed to "inspire change as a united voice of this global call for respect, diversity, and equality," according to The Architectural Review and Architect's Journal.

With the rise of various initiatives aiming to rewrite and highlight female and minority architects into architectural canon, this year, the award honors five women, each representing a unique voice, perspective, or emphasis within architectural practice.

Individually each architect has committed their time and effort to push architectural pedagogy and practice. Read more about the winners and comments from the award's coordinators below.

Francesca Torzo. Image courtesy of The Architectural Review.

The Moira Gemmill Prize for Emerging Architecture
Winner: Francesca Torzo (Francesca Torzo Architetto)

Judges...