The Jane Drew Prize is an architecture award given annually by the Architects' Journal to a person showing innovation, diversity and inclusiveness in architecture. It is named after the Englishmodernist architect Jane Drew.
Background
The Jane Drew Prize began with discussions in 1997 between the Royal Institute of British Architects Women Architects Group and the Arts Council of England. The new prize was launched in January 1998 with a ceremony held at the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London. The award was created to recognise promotion of innovation, diversity and inclusiveness in architecture. It was named after the English architect Dame Jane Drew who, among other achievements, had tried to set up the first all-women architecture practice and had been the first female full Professor at Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Nominations were invited by the RIBA, after which a jury selected the winner who received a prize of £10,000. The 1998 winner also received a sculpture by Eduardo Paolozzi. Problems were encountered with the initial award, primarily in finding suitable candidates that met all three criteria. A forum was held on 19 May 1998 where the four shortlisted candidates were asked to give a ten-minute presentation. The evening was described as "tedious" and Gustafson didn't even turn up. The award was finally presented to Gustafson on 4 June after strong disagreements and near-resignations amongst the judging panel. The prize has subsequently come under the jurisdiction of the Architects' Journal. Winners are chosen by the AJ Women in Architecture Judging Panel. According to the 2013 entry guidelines, the prize recognises a "contribution to the status of women in architecture".
2019 - Liz Diller, architect and founder of the firm Diller Scofidio + Renfro, "From her wide range of work – including the High Line inNew York, to The Broad art museum in Los Angeles, to the much-anticipated London Centre for Music – Diller’s brave, refreshing, innovative and often cross-disciplinary approach is an inspiration to the architectural profession."
2018 - Amanda Levete, architect and principal of the firm AL_A, "Amanda Levete is an architect whose career has been notable at several points, but whose independent practice has blossomed internationally, and whose independent voice has generated welcome debate and reform."
2017 - Denise Scott Brown, architect, planner, writer, educator, and principal of the firm Venturi, Scott Brown and Associates, "Denise Scott Brown’s wonderful architectural writing and thinking, her work and her wit has been an inspiring force for change. This honour squares the circle."
2016 - Odile Decq, architect, Co-founder of Studio Odile Decq, for being a "a creative powerhouse, spirited breaker of rules and advocate of equality."
2015 - Yvonne Farrell and Shelley McNamara, architects and founders of Grafton Architects, for "not being afraid to speak in a language that is feminine yet produce buildings which are robust and full of conviction."
2014 - Kathryn Findlay, architect, for "her outstanding contribution to the status of women in architecture."
2013 - Eva Jiřičná, architect, for "her outstanding contribution to the status of women in architecture."
2012 - Zaha Hadid, architect, for "her outstanding contribution to the status of women in architecture." She was described as having "broken the glass ceiling more than anyone", for example being the first woman to win the Pritzker Prize.
