The Pritzker Prize is considered the equivalent of a Nobel Prize when it comes to architecture. Established in 1979 by the Pritzker family of Chicago, it is awarded each year to architects who have contributed significantly to humanity and the art of architecture. The winner receives US$100,000 and a bronze medallion at the ceremony which is held in May. This year is momentous as the award has been conferred to not one, but two women. Yvonne Farrell and Shelley McNamara are the co-founders of Grafton Architects and were announced as the winners on Tuesday, March 3rd, 2020.

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“There are so many buildings you visit and you really admire but there is something missing,” McNamara said. “Architecture isn’t just about design and sophistication and accomplishment, but it’s also about how it makes you feel as a stranger.” This quote really defines how the duo practice and the designs they create. They’ve been working together for over 40 years and have been the recipients of the RIBA International Prize, RIBA Royal Gold Medal, RIAI James Gandon Medal for Lifetime Achievement in Architecture and 2012 Biennale di Venezia Silver Lion Award among others. As pioneers in a field that has traditionally always been dominated by men, this is the perfect piece of news to celebrate Women’s Day with. They are the fourth and fifth women to win this award.

Looking back at their projects, there is a couple of them that are truly unmissable. The Universita Luigi Bocconi in Milan won the duo the World Building of the Year Award in 2008 which they built drawing inspiration from the inside of a market place or space of exchange. The hallway inside the building was built to act as a filter between the university and the city and create a space that felt personal and intimate. As part of Kingston University, they designed the Town House which is an open-plan space where students, staff, and visitors can mingle and also find their own independent space. The design encourages collaboration and learning and signifies a revitalisation in the university’s estate.

Universita Luigi Bocconi, photo courtesy of Federico Brunetti

Our favourite project by Grafton Architects has to be the University of Engineering and Technology in Lima for which they won the aforementioned RIBA International Prize in 2016. Known for their robust stone-clad designs, this building emerges as a man-made cliff with multiple levels and heavy volume. Though imposing, the structure still feels human and intimate due to the way the duo plays with light, interior design, and the natural environment. The duo has always had a knack of creating educational buildings but have also worked on civic, commercial, and residential projects.

University Campus UTEC Lima, photo courtesy of Iwan Baan

Farrell and McNamara have a keen understanding of human behaviour and how people engage with spaces around them. “Their approach to architecture is always honest, revealing an understanding of the processes of design and construction from large-scale structures to the smallest details,” the jury’s citation said. “It is often in these details, especially in buildings with modest budgets, where a big impact can be felt.