Grafton Architects Secures Royal Gold Medal

The co-founders and directors behind Dublin-based firm Grafton Architects have been recognised with a royal award.

Co-founders Yvonne Farrell and Shelley McNamara, along with fellow directors Ger Carthy and Philippe O'Sullivan, were presented with the 2020 Royal Gold Medal for architecture.

Presented in recognition of a lifetime's work, the Royal Gold Medal is approved personally by Her Majesty The Queen and is given to a person or group of people who have had a significant influence "either directly or indirectly on the advancement of architecture". 

The accolade was dished out during a special ceremony at the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) yesterday, Thursday 13 February. 

Shane O'Toole, HonFRIAI, read the citation on behalf of his fellow nominees which include leading international architects and contributors to the wider field of architecture.

Speaking about Grafton Architects' work, Mr O'Toole discussed "the modesty with which Shelley and Yvonne conduct themselves (even down to the name of the practice) and the extraordinary generosity with which they exercise their profession".


"Some examples of this guiding spirit of generosity include: Generosity towards the future of our discipline, as evidenced through more than 40 years teaching. Generosity towards places where they build, as evidenced by their constant care for the genius loci. Generosity towards the users of their buildings and civil society in general, through their emphasis on the importance of providing 'freespace' in architecture. Generosity towards the planet, by reminding the global profession at the 2018 Venice Biennale that 'the earth is our client'. Generosity towards their collaborators, past and present, by declining to accept our nomination unless it be in the name of the practice - insisting to us that architecture is, above all, a collaborative endeavour."

On accepting the award, Shelley and Yvonne spoke warmly about the future generation of architects, paying tribute to four young women who received President Medals from RIBA President, Professor Alan M Jones earlier in the day.

RIBA President, Professor Alan M Jones, added: "From designing houses in wind-swept rural landscapes to substantial inner-city university projects, from curating and contributing to world class exhibitions to teaching within some of the world's leading schools of architecture, the scale and scope of Grafton Architects' influence is extraordinary. Their extensive talent and generosity of spirit are an inspiration, not only to me and my fellow architects but to all those who have had the pleasure of engaging directly with them and their work. The breadth and quality of supporters for their Royal Gold Medal nomination was a roll call of significant names from the worlds of academia, arts and architecture, major clients and renowned architects. 

"Grafton Architects are impressive role models. Their work, philosophy and ambition are of profound importance, not just in their home country and the UK but across the globe. They show us all how architecture, practiced humbly and humanely, can make the world a better place."

(CM/JG)