This year's Royal Academy Architecture Prize has been awarded to Elizabeth Diller and Ricardo Scofidio, founders of Diller Scofidio + Renfro.
Awarded annually to architects whose work engages the public and contributes to culture, the prize recognises the duo for a portfolio that includes The Broad art museum in Los Angeles and The Shed in New York.
They become only the second recipients of the prestigious new award, following the inaugural winner Japanese architect Itsuko Hasegawa.
Diller and Scofidio were chosen for the award by a panel that included Stanton Williams co-founder Alan Stanton, Sauerbruch Hutton co-founder Louisa Hutton, director of LSE Cities Ricky Burdett, broadcaster Kirsty Wark and Lesley Lokko, head of the Graduate School of Architecture at the University of Johannesburg. Jury chair Stanton said the decision was unanimous.
"The Royal Academy Architecture Prize recognises a practice at the height of its powers who are leading voices for imaginative urban and environmental design and are an inspiration to architects of all generations," he said.
Diller and Scofidio famously masterplanned the High Line in New York. Photo is by Iwan Baan
Elizabeth Diller said the recognition from the Royal Academy of Arts (RA) had prompted reflection on the early work of Diller Scofidio + Renfro.
The architects started working together in 1981. They famously masterplanned New York's High Line, but their earlier work was more experimental, with installations...