David Chipperfield has chosen to mentor Swiss architect Simon Kretz as part of the Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative for 2016-2017. Launched in 2002, but working with architects only since 2012, the venture is a biennial philanthropic programme created by Rolex to ?ensure that the world?s artistic heritage is passed on from generation to generation, across continents and cultures.?

Simon Kretz and David Chipperfield. Image Courtesy of Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative

David Chipperfield has chosen to mentor Swiss architect Simon Kretz as part of the Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative for 2016-2017. Launched in 2002, but working with architects only since 2012, the venture is a biennial philanthropic programme created by Rolex to ?ensure that the world?s artistic heritage is passed on from generation to generation, across continents and cultures.?Chipperfield said he became a mentor because ?At school and at university I was lucky to have been encouraged by teachers that I had great respect for and who took a real interest in the progress of their students. Without such encouragement perhaps I would not have challenged myself or had the confidence to imagine or dream.?Speaking on his selection, Kretz said he was ?overjoyed? anticipating that ?Sir David will profoundly influence his understanding of the methodologies of architecture.?As the Initiative?s first Swiss protégé, Kretz was selected from three finalists, ahead of Luis Calle...