First awarded in 1836, the President’s Medals are the RIBA’s oldest awards and are regarded as the most prestigious prizes in architectural education worldwide. They offer us a glimpse of the future ‘ones to watch’ and acknowledge the outstanding work of those currently in architectural education (the list of previous winners includes influential architects like Norman Foster).
In 2018, the RIBA invited a record 376 schools of architecture in 74 countries to submit one dissertation for the RIBA Dissertation Medal, up to two design projects for the RIBA Bronze Medal, and up to two design projects for the RIBA Silver Medal.
The entries were judged anonymously over three days by three independent panels comprising architects, academics, designers and artists. After viewing thousands of images, hundreds of portfolios, and dozens of films, the judges agreed the Medal winners and Commendations in each category.
The judging panels for the Bronze and Silver medals also selected the winners of the Serjeant Awards for Excellence in Drawing and of the SOM Foundation Fellowships UK.
This exhibition at RIBA North features the winning projects and a selection of entries submitted by schools of architecture across the world for the 2018 awards. As all drawings, images and material displayed belong to award winners and selected nominees, this is an opportunity to see what the cutting edge of the architectural profession may look like in the future.
