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| Edward Cullinan receives the Royal Gold Medal for architecture The British architect Edward (Ted) Cullinan will receive one of architecture's most prestigious prizes, the Royal Gold Medal. He will be presented with the award by Sunand Prasad, President of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) at a glittering ceremony, sponsored by Buro Happold, this evening at the RIBA in London. Awarded in recognition of a lifetime's work, the Royal Gold Medal is approved personally by Her Majesty the Queen and is given annually to a person or group of people whose lifetime's work has had a significant influence on international architecture. The honour recognises the impact Cullinan has made on architecture through his highly personal and inventive buildings. A renowned draftsman, he is best known for his imaginative houses, university buildings and visitor centres. Shortlisted for the RIBA Stirling Prize in 2002, the Gridshell at the Weald and Downland Museum in West Sussex is one of Cullinan's most recognised works, an essay in sustainable construction, and regarded as one of the finest and most original British buildings in recent years. This year's Royal Gold Medal also recognises the contribution Cullinan has made to the teaching of architecture through his professorships at the universities of Nottingham, The Bartlett, Sheffield and Edinburgh. His ability to stimulate and inspire not only students, but members of the public, means Cullinan is regarded as one of the most notable teachers and advocates of architecture in this country. At the ceremony the RIBA will also award seven International Fellowships to non-UK architects who have made an outstanding contribution to architecture and 10 Honorary Fellowships to reward the particular contributions people have made to architecture in its broadest sense. The Royal Gold Medal for the promotion of architecture was inaugurated by Queen Victoria in 1848 and is conferred by the Sovereign annually on a distinguished architect or person "whose work has promoted, either directly or indirectly, the advancement of architecture." Previous winners include: Le Corbusier (1953), Sir Giles Gilbert Scott (1925), Frank Gehry (2000), Archigram (2002), Frei Otto (2005), Toyo Otto (2006) and Herzog & de Meuron (2007) write your comments about the article :: © 2008 Construction News :: home page |