Archinect - News

Meet the architects challenging the industry through activism, education, design leadership, and innovation

2021-09-23T15:35:00-04:00

In its eighth year, the Women in Architecture Awards program, organized by Architectural Record, continues to recognize and champion women in architecture. Each year, an independent jury selects design professionals across five categories: Design Leader, New Generation Leader, Innovator, Activist, and Educator.

According to Architectural Record, the jury focused on expanding their outlook on prospective winners by going "beyond architectural practice to embrace the landscape and public art." The profession continues to grow, challenge, and reform outdated practices thanks to individuals aiming to break old "industry habits." These five award recipients not only offer their knowledge, technical prowess, and commitment to addressing social challenges but also use architecture as a catalyst for change.

Design Leader: Annabelle Selldorf

Annabelle Selldorf. Photo © Harry Mitchell/Courtesy of Architectural Record

Awarded to an architect with significant built work and influence.

"Selldor...

The W Awards announces the Moira Gemmill Prize for Emerging Architecture winners

2021-03-10T17:56:00-05:00

The Moira Gemmill Prize for Emerging Architecture recognizes designers under the age of 45 for their achievement in professional practice. Last year's prize was awarded to Francesca Torzo of Francesca Torzo Architetto. Architect Mariam Kamara of Atelier Masomi was recognized and highly commended for the prize.

Façade of La Comunal, cooperative space, Barcelona. Image © Lacol

This year's prizes have been awarded to six female architects who are part of the architecture practice, Lacol. Members Ariadna Artigas, Anna Clemente, Eulàlia Daví, Cristina Gamboa, Laura Lluch, and Núria Vila were praised by this year's jury for their housing projects La Borda, Coòpolis, and co-operative complex La Comunal.

The judges for this year's prize share: "They expand beyond the horizons of forms and materials, they take architecture out of the traditional client-user commissioning relationship by politicizing it – and it is remarkably effective. This alternative model of practice creates a collaborat...

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, ...

2021 Jane Drew and Ada Louise Huxtable Prizes awarded to Kate Macintosh and Lesley Lokko

2021-01-21T16:37:00-05:00

The work and leadership of female architects continue to impact the industry thanks to their relentless efforts and passion for architecture, equity, and progress. The Architectural Review and Architect's Journal awards two women whose exemplary work in architecture has deemed them winners of the 2021 Jane Drew Prize for Architecture and the Ada Louise Huxtable Prize for Contribution to Architecture.

Kate Macintosh's South London housing project in Dawson's Heights (1972). Image © Abi Jones

Pioneering British architect Kate Macintosh is the recipient of the Jane Drew Prize award. Focusing on social housing and activism her legacy within the profession is built upon her tenacious commitment to housing and social justice. Macintosh's accomplishments include her work on designing the South London housing project Dawson's Heights at the age of 26. Macintosh is part of a legacy of trailblazing women in the field of architecture whose work has paved the way for many.

Macintosh shares in a...

Meet the 5 women changing architectural academia, activism, innovation, and design leadership

2020-09-16T16:36:00-04:00

The Women in Architecture Awards honors and highlights the five design professionals who embody the industry through their commitment to architectural excellence, leadership, social change. In its 7th year, the Architectural Record recognizes the accomplishments and leadership of women across five categories. This year's award recipients are:

Educator: "For a professional who has helped the advancement of women in the field"
Award Winner: Monica Ponce de Leon

Activist: "For an architect who has used her skills to design for social change, to affect the public realm or to perform pro bono work"
Award Winner: Kimberly Dowdell

Design Leader: "For an architect with significant built work and influence"
Award Winner: Julie Eizenberg, FAIA

Innovator: "For an architect who has made a mark in innovative design, materials or building type"
Award Winner: Lisa Gray, FAIA

New Generation Leader: "For an architect who is rising in the profession"
Award Winner: Stella Betts

2020 has marked itself as...

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...

Architectural Record announces five American architects as the winners of its Women in Architecture Awards

2019-09-11T12:30:00-04:00

2019 marks the sixth year Architectural Record announces its annual Women in Architecture Awards. Recognizing the accomplishments and leadership of women across five categories, this year's award recipients are:

Toshiko Mori - Design Leader
Sharon Johnston - New Generation Leader
Claire Weisz - Innovator
Dana Cuff - Activist
Mabel O. Wilson - Educator

Each architect has established themselves not only as an innovator in the field, but also as an example of resiliency and dedication to the profession. The conversation regarding the importance of increased female representation within the profession has grown tremendously over the years and these women, through their work and skill, are now at the forefront of that movement.

However, as Cathleen McGuigan, the editor in chief of Architectural Record shares in a conversation with Sophie Haigney of the New York Times, "One of the things we learned is that women architects don’t want to be known as women architects. They want to be known as ...

This Year's Women in Architecture Awards announces Sheila O'Donnell as 2019 Architect of the Year and Xu Tiantian winner of the Moira Gemmill Prize for Emerging Architects

2019-03-01T12:42:00-05:00

Now in its eighth year, the Women in Architecture Awards shined the spotlight on the inspiring women who have continuously pushed the boundaries of the profession through innovative and progressive design. Today during the Women in Architecture Awards in New York, Shiela O'Donnell and Xu Tiantian were recognized for their work. Although the gap between women and men in the profession is still present, the awards provides a platform for female architects to be recognized for their work and leadership.

The Moira Gemmill Prize for Emerging Architecture recognizes excellence in design and a bright future for women designers under the age of 45, with an emphasis on achievements and completed projects, while the Architect of the Year award rewards a single recently completed project. In late January of this year, architect Elizabeth Diller was honored with the Jane Drew Prize, while renowned architectural photographer Hélène Binet won the Ada Louise Huxtable Prize.

Central European Univ...

Elizabeth Diller wins 2019 Jane Drew Prize, Hélène Binet wins Ada Louise Huxtable Prize + Women in Architecture shortlists announced

2019-01-28T14:09:00-05:00

Today, the Architects' Journal and Architectural Review announced two influential women in the architecture industry as winning recipients in their 2019 Women in Architecture Awards program. Architect Elizabeth Diller was honored with the Jane Drew Prize, while renowned architectural photographer Hélène Binet won the Ada Louise Huxtable Prize.

The Jane Drew Prize is a lifetime achievement that recognizes an architect who, through their work, helped raise the profile of women in architecture. The Ada Louise Huxtable Prize recognizes individuals working in the wider architectural industry who have made a significant contribution to the field and the built environment.

The Broad Museum in Los Angeles by Diller Scofidio + Renfro. Photo: Diller Scofidio + Renfro.

“Liz Diller is an international architectural powerhouse and a hugely deserving winner of this year’s Jane Drew Prize. From her wide range of work [...] Diller’s brave, refreshing, innovative and often cross-disciplinary approach...

Gabriela Carrillo named 2017 Architect of the Year in Women in Architecture Awards + Rozana Montiel wins Moira Gemmill Prize

2017-03-03T19:06:00-05:00

The Architectural Review and the Architects' Journal celebrated more leading ladies in the 2017 Women in Architecture Awards today. They announced Gabriela Carrillo as Architect of the Year, while Rozana Montiel received the £10,000 Moira Gemmill Prize for Emerging Architecture. Last month, Denise Scott Brown was honored with the Jane Drew Prize.

Previously awarded to architects like Jeanne Gang, Francine Houben, and Michál Cohen and Cindy Walters, Architect of the Year recognizes design excellence in a single built project completed in 2016. The Moira Gemmill Prize supports the continuing professional development of the recipient. Previous winners include Ambrosi Etchegaray co-founder Gabriela Etchegaray and Hannah Lawson of John McAslan + Partners.

Gabriela Carrillo, Taller de Arquitectura Mauricio Rocha + Gabriela Carrillo, Criminal Courts for Oral Trials, Pátzcuaro, Mexico.

Rozana Montiel, Rozana Montiel Estudio de Arquitectura, Tepoztlan House, Mexico.

Carrillo and Montiel were com...

Jeanne Gang wins Architect of the Year in 2016's Women in Architecture Awards

2016-03-07T17:57:00-05:00

The Architect of the Year award celebrates Studio Gang’s Arcus Center for Social Justice Leadership at Kalamazoo College, Michigan, which took a novel tri-axial form. The first building purposed for social justice, Gang’s democratic and participatory design process involved the organisation, students and public who now work from the Center.

Jeanne Gang was singled out over other finalists Kazuyo Sejima (SANAA) and Tatiana Bilbao, particularly for Studio Gang's Arcus Center for Social Justice Leadership at Kalamazoo College in Michigan. Other winners of The Architectural Review's 2016 Women in Architecture Awards include Odile Decq and Julia Peyton-Jones.

Watch the AR's video below showcasing Studio Gang's work:

Women in Architecture Awards recognize Odile Decq and Julia Peyton-Jones

2016-02-26T18:30:00-05:00

Odile Decq has won the Jane Drew Prize and Julia Peyton-Jones has been awarded the Ada Louise Huxtable Prize in the annual Women in Architecture Awards. The judges described Odile Decq as ‘a creative powerhouse, spirited breaker of rules and advocate of equality’. [...] The judges celebrated Julia Peyton-Jones’ ‘incredible global impact achieved with limited resources – and as someone who has done so much to nurture architectural vision and make architecture available to many people’.

Related on Archinect: