The Royal Academy of Arts is set to announce the recipient of its esteemed £10,000 (€12,000) Dorfman Prize, an accolade bestowed upon innovative architects who challenge the status quo. This year's shortlist features four exceptional practices: b+ from Germany, Livyi Bereh from Ukraine, Salima Naji from Morocco, and TEN from Switzerland and Serbia. Each of these firms is celebrated for their dedication to tackling the pressing issues in contemporary architecture.
Sir Lloyd Dorfman CBE, an emeritus trustee of the Royal Academy Trust and a founding partner of the award, emphasizes that the prize "aims to identify the most groundbreaking architecture globally," honoring individuals and collectives who are pioneering creative solutions to modern challenges. The winner will be unveiled at a ceremony on 31 October 2024 at the Benjamin West Lecture Theatre in Burlington Gardens.
Here's an in-depth look at each of the four nominated projects: bplus.xyz (b+) is a collaborative architecture practice focused on rethinking and revitalizing existing structures. They reject the idea that newer is always superior, instead working within existing regulations to create vibrant spaces. Their office and workshop, located in a former concrete silo in East Berlin, exemplifies this approach. Notable projects include the mixed-use redevelopment of a former ship engine factory in Hamburg and the transformation of a lingerie factory in Potsdam into a brutalist-style weekend villa.
Since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, Livyj Bereh has been dedicated to rebuilding the roofs of damaged homes, schools, and community buildings. Based in Kyiv, their work initially began on the left bank of the Dnipro River. By May 2022, they had restored over 300 roofs in the Charkiv, Černihiv, and Kyiv regions, at a cost of approximately €2000 per roof. Livyj Bereh also raises global awareness through exhibitions, documenting the cultural and architectural heritage at risk due to the conflict.
TEN, recognized by the Dorfman Prize jury for their distinctive, almost graphic architectural style, operates like a "record label" with offices in Zurich and Belgrade. They integrate open design tools and collaborative formats, with social engagement at the heart of their projects. A House for Five Women in Bosnia-Herzegovina is a co-housing project designed for single, socially disadvantaged women, developed in partnership with various organizations.
Since 2017, architect and anthropologist Salima Naji, aged 53, has been leading the extensive restoration of Agadir, Morocco, a city ravaged by a 1960 earthquake. Born in Rabat and educated in Paris, Naji's multidisciplinary approach combines aesthetics, technical expertise, material economy, and community engagement. In earthquake-prone Morocco, her work integrates local techniques with modern solutions, such as wood-reinforced stone walls for earthquake resilience.
The winner of the Dorfman Prize will be revealed at a ceremony on 31 October 2024 at the Benjamin West Lecture Theatre in Burlington Gardens.
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