Sir Nicholas Grimshaw awarded the 2019 Royal Gold Medal
![]() |
Sir Nicholas Grimshaw with the Royal Gold Medal 2019, image © Morley von Sternberg. |
Sir Nicholas Grimshaw was awarded the 2019 Royal Gold Medal at a ceremony at the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) on 14 February.
The Royal Gold Medal is the UK’s highest honour for architecture, presented by the RIBA in recognition of a lifetime’s work by a person who has had a significant influence on the advancement of architecture.
Nicholas Grimshaw has played a leading role in British architecture for more than half a century and is best-known for the International Terminal at London’s Waterloo station and the Eden Project in Cornwall.
He graduated with Honours from the Architectural Association in 1965. He immediately started in practice and won many awards for his early work. Grimshaw Architects was formed in 1980 and now employs more than 600 people in eight studios around the world and has won more than 200 awards. He was elected to the Royal Academy of Arts in 1994 and was its President from 2004 to 2011.
Lord Richard Rogers said: “I’ve known Nick since he was a student at the Architectural Association and followed his career closely. He is an internationally renowned architect and was an exceptional President of the Royal Academy. His buildings are outstanding, from the early residential tower in London to his many transportation hubs around the world.”
Lord Norman Foster said: “His architectural outlook is very much based in an honesty towards materiality and structure – like me, he believes that every type of building merits the same care in design.”
Coinciding with the presentation, the RIBA has opened a free exhibition charting the story of Grimshaw’s career from the 1960s to the present day. The exhibition explores his remarkable oeuvre through seminal works, with exclusive drawings, models and film.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Spring Statement 2025 with reactions from industry
Confirming previously announced funding, and welfare changes amid adjusted growth forecast.
Scottish Government responds to Grenfell report
As fund for unsafe cladding assessments is launched.
CLC and BSR process map for HRB approvals
One of the initial outputs of their weekly BSR meetings.
Architects Academy at an insulation manufacturing facility
Programme of technical engagement for aspiring designers.
Building Safety Levy technical consultation response
Details of the planned levy now due in 2026.
Great British Energy install solar on school and NHS sites
200 schools and 200 NHS sites to get solar systems, as first project of the newly formed government initiative.
600 million for 60,000 more skilled construction workers
Announced by Treasury ahead of the Spring Statement.
The restoration of the novelist’s birthplace in Eastwood.
Life Critical Fire Safety External Wall System LCFS EWS
Breaking down what is meant by this now often used term.
PAC report on the Remediation of Dangerous Cladding
Recommendations on workforce, transparency, support, insurance, funding, fraud and mismanagement.
New towns, expanded settlements and housing delivery
Modular inquiry asks if new towns and expanded settlements are an effective means of delivering housing.
Building Engineering Business Survey Q1 2025
Survey shows growth remains flat as skill shortages and volatile pricing persist.
Construction contract awards remain buoyant
Infrastructure up but residential struggles.
Warm Homes Plan and existing energy bill support policies
Breaking down what existing policies are and what they do.
A dynamic brand built for impact stitched into BSRIA’s building fabric.