The Friends of The Hebrew University has named Lord Foster as the recepient of the Scopus Award – the highest honour conferred by the Friends of The Hebrew University. It is awarded to individuals who make an exceptional cultural contribution and demonstrate humanitarian concerns throughout their careers, and symbolises the university’s highest ideals.

The award ceremony was held at a fundraising event at Campus Biotech in Geneva, in the presence of Lily Safra – benefactor of the Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences, which has been designed by the practice, Professor Menahem Ben Sasson – President of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Gültin Ephrati – President of the Swiss Friends of UHJ-Switzerland, and artist Michal Rovner, with Phillippe Amon offering the Laudatio to Lord Foster.

This year, the award was designed and presented by acclaimed artist Marina Abramovic – a golden replica of Norman Foster’s brain, enclosed within a custom-made cap equipped with LED lights. Abramovic’s sculpture was based on the idea of luminosity, and the form was derived from a 3D scan of Lord Foster’s brain.

The Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem is a pioneering research facility for the scientific exploration of the brain. The new building, designed by Foster + Partners is the gateway between the university campus and city – its dynamic social spaces and laboratory facilities designed to attract exceptional scientists, as well as to foster an interest in the centre’s research activities within the wider community.

Top image © David Vexelman

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