The internationally-acclaimed British architect Sir David Chipperfield CBE has been named today as the recipient of one of the world's most prestigious architecture prizes, the Royal Gold Medal.
David Chipperfield's practice has won over 50 national and international competitions and many international awards and citations for design excellence, including the RIBA Stirling Prize 2007 for the Museum of Modern Literature, Marbach am Neckar in Germany. His practice's Neues Museum project in Berlin, in partnership with Julian Harrap, was shortlisted for the 2010 RIBA Stirling Prize.
Given in recognition of a lifetime's work, the Royal Gold Medal is approved personally by Her Majesty the Queen and is given to a person or group of people who have had a significant influence "either directly or indirectly on the advancement of architecture."
"I am overwhelmed by the decision of the RIBA to award me the 2011 Royal Gold Medal and to join a list that includes so many great architects and personal heroes," commented Chipperfield. "I hope that my career will justify this great honour and that I can fulfil the expectations that this award bestows on me. I share this award with my colleagues and family without whom such a personal achievement would have been well out of reach."
"The Royal Gold Medal is a highly prestigious award and in David Chipperfield we have an exceptional recipient, said Ruth Reed, RIBA President and chair of the Honours Committee which selected the Royal Gold medal winner. "David is one of the world's greatest architects with a portfolio of work that is international in influence. His architecture is one of calm rational elegance, he is a craftsman of delightful spaces and beautiful detailed buildings, and has carved out a career which is an inspiration to anyone seeking to work outside the boundaries of their home country. I will be delighted to present him with the Royal Gold Medal."
David Chipperfield will be presented with the Royal Gold Medal on 10 February 2011 at a ceremony at the Royal Institute of British Architects in London, during which the 2011 RIBA International and Honorary Fellowships will also be presented.
This year's RIBA Honours Committee was chaired by RIBA President, Ruth Reed with architects Edward Cullinan, Eva Jiricna and Chris Wilkinson, engineer Max Fordham and client Laura Lee. Sir David Chipperfield was nominated by Deborah Saunt, David Adjaye and Ruth Reed.
Photo: Martin Godwin