Words and Images The Architecture Drawing Prize
Calling all architects, designers, and students from every corner of the globe with a knack for architectural drawing! The World Architecture Festival (WAF), in collaboration with Make Architects and Sir John Soane’s Museum, is thrilled to announce the launch of the seventh edition of The Architecture Drawing Prize, sponsored by Iris Ceramica Group. The prestigious Prize, initiated in 2017, serves as a remarkable platform to honor and exhibit the artistry and craftsmanship behind architectural drawing.
Drawing inspiration from the visionary works of architectural luminaries such as Palladio, John Soane, Le Corbusier, and Cedric Price, The Architecture Drawing Prize continues to push the boundaries of architectural expression in the modern era. By embracing the creative utilization of digital tools and digitally rendered designs, while also recognizing the timeless significance of hand drawing, this competition seeks to explore and celebrate the evolving role of drawing in architecture today.
2020, Hybrid, Victor Hugo Azevedo and Cheryl Lu Xu, Airplane Tower 2018, Digital, Li Han, The Samsara of Building No.42 on Dirty Street
WAF warmly invites architects, designers, and students from around the globe to submit entries in various forms, spanning conceptual, technical, or construction drawings, cutaways, perspective views, and everything in between. The categories for submission are Hand-drawn, Digital, and Hybrid (combining the two).
Entries across all three categories will be evaluated based on technical proficiency, originality of approach, and the ability to effectively communicate architectural concepts. Submissions can range from speculative drawings to those associated with real-life projects, allowing participants to unleash their imagination and expertise.
Over the years, a growing number of Filipino creatives have joined the Architecture Drawing Prize, with Filipino-French artist Clement Laurencio bagging the 2020 Architecture Drawing Prize for his Apartment #5 drawing, a Labyrinth and Repository of Spatial Memories, and Pampanga-based architectural designer and artist Eldry John Infante getting shortlisted for his graphite rendition of Renzo Piano’s ‘The Bubble’ last 2021.
This year, a distinguished panel of judges has been assembled to oversee the evaluation process. The esteemed lineup includes Lily Jencks, Founder of Lily Jencks Studio; Ben Langlands and Nikki Bell, Artists; Pablo Bronstein, Artist; Federica Minozzi, CEO of Iris Ceramica Group; Narinder Sagoo, Senior Partner at Foster + Partners; Ken Shuttleworth, Founder of Make Architects; and Louise Stewart, Head of Exhibitions at Sir John Soane’s Museum.
Expressing his excitement, Paul Finch, Programme Director of the World Architecture Festival and Chair of the judging panel, comments: “We are delighted to launch the seventh year of The Architecture Drawing Prize, which has become an important fixture and highlight within the World Architecture Festival program. We’re also delighted to have the Iris Ceramica Group, who carry a strong interest in the culture of architecture, as our distinguished sponsors.”
Joining the chorus of enthusiasm, Louise Stewart, Head of Exhibitions at Sir John Soane’s Museum, states: “Sir John Soane’s Museum is very happy to partner with Make Architects and WAF in hosting the seventh edition of The Architectural Drawing Prize, which has become a celebrated showcase for the best in contemporary draftsmanship across media. Drawing remains central to architectural practice today, just as it was to Sir John Soane and his architectural pupils, working in his Drawing Office– as such, the Museum is the perfect venue for exhibiting these extraordinary works.”
Ken Shuttleworth, Founder of Make Architects, adds: “Drawing was what made me want to become an architect. Yet, I have seen that among students and many architects, drawing is not valued enough – particularly as a way of exploring ideas. This is why we wanted a prize that would create a platform for drawing.”
Federica Minozzi, CEO of Iris Ceramica Group, affirms the role of architecture in promoting technology and sustainability, fostering meaningful interactions between humans and the environment: “…The Architecture Drawing Prize is a brilliant opportunity to demonstrate the genius of people and the desire to experiment. Hence the importance of the Prize: it assumes a prominent role in reflecting architectural creativity.”
The deadline for all submissions is September 8, 2023. The shortlisted entries and winners will be unveiled in October and showcased at the World Architecture Festival in Singapore from November 29 to December 1, 2023. Category winners will receive complimentary tickets to the festival, where they can participate in a stimulating panel discussion featuring several esteemed judges, followed by a gala dinner award presentation ceremony.
The overall winner of the 2023 edition will be announced during the private preview of The Architecture Drawing Prize exhibition at Sir John Soane’s Museum. This highly anticipated exhibition, running from January 31 to March 3, 2024, will display a curated selection of winning and shortlisted entries. WAF will sponsor the overall winner’s attendance at this preview event in London.
The standard submission fee for the prize is $99, with a reduced rate of $49 for students and individuals under 30. Furthermore, participants can avail of a multiple-entry discount when submitting three or more projects. To take advantage of this offer, entrants should use the code STANDARDMULTI10 or STUDENTMULTI10 at the checkout to save 10%.
Now is the time to seize this extraordinary opportunity to unleash your creative vision and contribute to the ever-evolving world of architectural drawing. Submit your entries to The Architecture Drawing Prize by clicking the banner below. •
