Cristina Iglesias recognised with Royal Academy Architecture Prize

The Royal Academy of Arts in London announced that artist Cristina Iglesias has been awarded the 2020 Royal Academy Architecture Prize, honouring her inspiring contribution to the culture of architecture. To mark the third year of the annual prize, which is supported by the Dorfman Foundation, the distinguished international jury has recognised the enduring and vital tradition of public art in enhancing the quality of open civic spaces. Iglesias’s works, such as the “Rivers and Public Spaces” series (2006–2018), create a sense of public gathering, with their filling and emptying of water combining both spectacle and an antidote to the noise and pace of urban life surrounding it. Her collaborations both inspire and act as a reminder for architects on the crucial role of public space provision in our cities.  

The jury also selected the finalists for the Royal Academy Dorfman Award, which champions global talent that represents the future of architecture. The four practices are:

AAU Anastas (Palestine)
AOR Architects (Finland)
BCKJ Architects (China)
WHBC Architects (Malaysia)

Chaired by the Royal Academician and founder of Foster + Partners, Norman Foster, jury members include co-founder of Stanton Williams, Alan Stanton RA, artist duo Jane and Louise Wilson RA, Pondicherry and Berlin-based architect, Anupama Kundoo and Professor of Urban Studies at the London School of Economics, Ricky Burdett.

The winner of the Royal Academy Dorfman Award will be announced during Royal Academy Architecture Awards Week, taking place March 16-19. The public celebration will also include an in-conversation between Cristina Iglesias and Norman Foster RA, and a cultural outreach programme developed with the British Council as International Partner for the Awards. The week will end with a free, large-scale event featuring installations, film screenings, talks and music, celebrating the work of the four Royal Academy Dorfman Award finalists, and aimed at inspiring a new generation of audiences for architecture.

Events and displays

Architectural Futures: Royal Academy Dorfman Award 2020
The Architecture Studio
February 21–May 4, 2020

From Palestine and Malaysia to China and Finland, this free display will invite the public to discover how the four Royal Academy Dorfman Award finalists are shaping the future of architecture in four different corners of the world. Through a selection of models, photographs and drawings, audiences will be able to delve in to the work of these four international practices and explore how they are responding to the different contexts in which they operate.

Cristina Iglesias and Norman Foster RA in Conversation
Tuesday, March 17, 6:30–8pm
Following the announcement of the 2020 Royal Academy Dorfman Award winner, the winner of the 2020 Royal Academy Architecture Prize, Cristina Iglesias, will discuss her work and practice in relation to the role of public art in creating hospitable urban spaces.

Space and Sound: A Workshop with Boonserm Premthada
Wednesday, March 18, 2–4pm
2019 Royal Academy Dorfman Award winner Boonserm Premthada will explore the acoustic aesthetics of spaces through the Royal Academy and beyond. 

Empowering Future Generations
Wednesday, March 18, 6:30–8pm
A panel discussion with previous Royal Academy Dorfman Award finalists that takes a closer look at how we can encourage future generations to have a say in defining their built environment.

Forming Futures: Awards Week Closing Party
Thursday, March 19, 6:30–10pm
A free evening of lively activities with presentations by the four Royal Academy Dorfman Award finalists, alongside installations, film screenings, micro-talks and music that will fill the Burlington Gardens building.

Founding partner: The Dorfman Foundation
Headline sponsor: Derwent London
International partner: The British Council