Elizabeth Diller and Ricardo Scofidio, founding partners of DS+R, have been named as the winners of the 2019 Royal Academy Architecture Prize, honouring their inspiring and enduring contribution to the culture of architecture. 

The annual prize, supported by the Dorfman Foundation and now in its second year, was decided by a distinguished international jury, recognising an innovative partnership that from its inception has been passionately committed to interdisciplinary work that expands architectural ideas and urban culture. With their practice Diller Scofidio + Renfro, their work consistently demonstrates how buildings can enhance cities and capture the public imagination. 

Fernanda Canales (Mexico). Image courtesy of Royal Academy of Arts

The international jury also announced the finalists for the Royal Academy Dorfman Award, which champions global talent that represents the future of architecture. The four architects are: Fernanda Canales (Mexico), Alice Casey and Cian Deegan, TAKA (Ireland), Mariam Kamara, Atelier Masomi (Niger) and Boonserm Premthada, Bangkok Project Studio (Thailand).

Chaired by the Royal Academician and co-founder of Stanton Williams Alan Stanton, jury members include Director of LSE Cities Ricky Burdett, co-founder of Sauerbruch HuttonLouisa Hutton RA, Head of the Graduate School of Architecture at the University of Johannesburg Lesley Lokko and broadcaster Kirsty Wark. 

Boonserm Premthada, Bangkok Project Studio (Thailand). Image courtesy of Royal Academy of Arts

They will be joined by artist Phyllida Barlow RA to select the winner of the Royal Academy Dorfman Award following a public presentation at the Royal Academy Architecture Awards Week, 13-17 May 2019. 

The week-long public celebration will also include an address by Elizabeth Diller and Ricardo Scofidio, and a cultural outreach programme which will be developed with theBritish Council as International Partner for the Awards.

Mariam Kamara, Atelier Masomi (Niger). Image courtesy of Royal Academy of Arts

The new awards and dedicated spaces for architecture in Burlington Gardens have increased the existing architecture programme at the Royal Academy, including debates, lectures, displays and new commissions to inspire the profession and deepen the public’s understanding of architecture. The reinvigorated programme demonstrates the Royal Academy’s role as a global advocate for architecture, realising the Royal Academy’s mission to garner a wider appreciation and understanding of architecture’s vital relationship to culture and society. 

Alice Casey and Cian Deegan, TAKA (Ireland). Image courtesy of Royal Academy of Arts

"This wonderful recognition by the Royal Academy of Arts has prompted us to reflect on the trajectory of our practice. We started as dissidents, challenging architecture as a self-contained discipline and probing its intersections with other cultural forms using a large toolkit of media," said Elizabeth Diller and Ricardo Scofidio.

"A combination of naiveté and determination allowed us to realize some challenging projects over time but it was not until our collaboration expanded to include new partners and a growing staff that we were truly able to push architecture’s untapped agency and convert provocations into meaningful action in cities and institutions."

Diller Scofidio + Renfro' The Shed will officially open its doors on April 5, 2019 on Manhattan's west side where the High Line meets Hudson Yards. Image © Brett Beyer

"At the Royal Academy we view architecture as a social artform that is integral to our lives and ever present. We therefore think about architecture broadly and aim to contextualise its relevance within society and culture, often acting as translators between the profession and the public. I believe in expanding the spatial literacy of us all so we can understand the world we inhabit and work towards shaping a better one," said Kate Goodwin, Head of Architecture and Heinz Curator, Royal Academy of Arts.

Last year, Itsuko Hasegawa won the Inaugural Royal Academy Architecture Prize 2018 and Alireza Taghaboni won the 2018 Royal Academy Dorfman Award. 

Top image © Geordie Wood

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