Archinect - News

Billie Tsien to receive honorary doctorate at the Boston Architectural College's 2022 graduation ceremony

2022-05-18T18:43:00-04:00

Architect, educator, and Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects | Partners co-founder Billie Tsien is set to receive an Honorary Doctorate and deliver the commencement speech at the Boston Architectural College’s (BAC) graduation ceremony on Friday, May 27th.

“It is an immense privilege to have Billie Tsien deliver the BAC’s commencement address to our graduating class in-person this year,” said Boston Architectural College President Mahesh Daas. “Her commitment to designing deeper and slower existential experiences grounded in an unmistakable sense of service, materiality and profound optimism complements the BAC’s own commitment to furthering social justice, inclusion, and diversifying design education.”

Previously on Archinect Sessions: "Starts with me, ends with us": A conversation with Tod Williams and Billie Tsien on Archinect Sessions Episode #22

This is the latest addition to Tsien’s long list of accolades, including the National Medal of the Arts from President Obama, the Tho...

Yvonne Farrell + Shelley McNamara named 2017 Thomas Jefferson Foundation architecture medalists

2017-03-08T15:20:00-05:00

Yvonne Farrell and Shelley McNamara have well made their mark in designing highly acclaimed academic buildings around the world. Most recently, the Grafton Architects co-founders were named the recipients of the 2017 Thomas Jefferson Foundation Medal in Architecture, the University of Virginia's highest external honor. Medalists are recognized for their achievement in the fields of Architecture, Law, Citizen Leadership, and Global Innovation, all which U.S. president Thomas Jefferson highly regarded. Previous architecture medalists include Cecil Balmond and Toyo Ito.

Universidad de Ingeniería y Tecnología, Grafton Architects + Shell Arquitectos. Photo: Iwan Baan - Courtesy of Grafton Architects.

In UVA Today, University of Virginia School of Architecture dean Ila Berman acknowledged Farrell and McNamara for their outstanding architectural contributions to culture and education, as seen in projects like the highly acclaimed UTEC in Lima that won RIBA's inaugural International Prize and...

AIA picks 2017 Thomas Jefferson Award and 2017 Collaborative Achievement Award recipients

2017-01-31T15:48:00-05:00

The AIA announced last Friday that Philadelphia architect Alan Greenberger will receive the 2017 Thomas Jefferson Award for architectural advocacy and achievement. On the same day, the AIA selected the Enterprise Rose Architectural Fellowship and Lawrence Scarpa for the 2017 Collaborative Achievement Award, which recognizes “distinguished collaborative achievements between allied professionals, clients, organizations, and knowledge communities that have positively impacted and advanced the profession”.

Mann Center for the Performing Arts, one of Alan Greenberger's notable projects in Philadelphia.

Formerly a principal at MGA Partners, Greenberger served as both Philadelphia Deputy Mayor and chairman of the City Planning Commission. He spearheaded the Philadelphia2035 initiative to rewrite the city’s antiquated zoning code, and also completed and approved plans to redevelop the city's 37-mile waterfront. Greenberger is now a Fellow of the Lindy Institute for Urban Innovation and a Dist...

Toyo Ito to receive 2014 Thomas Jefferson Foundation Medal in Architecture

2014-03-17T15:03:00-04:00

Renowned Japanese architect Toyo Ito was recently named the recipient of the 2014 Thomas Jefferson Foundation Medal in Architecture. Hosted by the University of Virginia (UVA) School of Architecture, the annual award recognizes achievements in fields that Thomas Jefferson -- the 3rd U.S. president, author of the Declaration of Independence, and founder of UVA -- excelled in and highly regarded.

Ito will formally receive the medal on Friday, April 11, instead of the traditional date of Jefferson's birthday on April 13. He will also be speaking in a translated public talk at 3:30 p.m. in the UVA Old Cabell Hall Auditorium.

Here's more info about Toyo Ito:

"After studying architecture at the University of Tokyo, Ito worked in the office of prominent Japanese architect Kiyonori Kikutake until founding his own Tokyo-based office, Urban Robot, in 1971, later renamed Toyo Ito & Associates. Ito’s practice has completed a wide range of projects, from small-scale housing to seminal public works,...