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The Soane Medal continues the mission of Sir John Soane to encourage a better understanding of the central importance of architecture in people’s lives.

Established in 2017, the Soane Medal recognises architects, educators and critics who have made a major contribution to their field through practice, history or theory, and in doing so have furthered and enriched the public understanding of architecture. Previous winners include Marina Tabassum, Denise Scott Brown, Kenneth Frampton, and Rafael Moneo.

The winner of the Soane Medal is selected annually by a panel of distinguished architects, critics and curators, which has been led by former Trustee of Sir John Soane’s Museum, Sir David Chipperfield. The recipient of the Medal writes and delivers a lecture at a special event at the Museum, which is streamed live around the world. The recipient also receives a replica of the original gold medal presented to Sir John Soane by the ‘Architects of England’ in 1835.

Sir John Soane’s Museum is grateful to the Rolex Institute for its support of the Soane Medal Lecture.

The Soane Medal 2022: watch Peter Barber's lecture

We're delighted to share that the recipient of this year's Soane Medal is the architect Peter Barber.

As one of Britain's most acclaimed architects, Peter's focus on innovative, affordable housing – particularly social housing – has been widely celebrated. You can find out more about Peter's incredible work here.

On 8 November, Peter presented a fascinating lecture via a livestream, from the Library-Dining Room of Sir John Soane's Museum, followed by an interview, led by journalist and author Alice Rawsthorn. You can catch up on the lecture in the player above.

 

Latest updates

  • Architect Peter Barber standing near the window of the South Drawing Room at Sir John Soane's Museum.

    2022 Peter Barber

    "There are numerous hats that an architect can and should wear – abstract and analytical, political, sensual, social, artistic, pragmatic even. We need to be sociologist, citizen, geographer, activist and urbanist – master-planner-structuralist and Situationist both."
  • The frontage of a 'tower house' at Peter's McGrath Road development.

    Five Voices: On Peter Barber

    Five voices – ranging from the Mayor of London to a resident of a sheltered housing project – reflect on the power and value of Peter Barber's architecture.
  • A photograph of Marina Tabassum with a bust of Sir John Soane

    2021 Marina Tabassum

    'I chose to resist, to deny temptation and to search within; within the land I grew up in, the place and country I call home.'
  • Five Voices: On Marina Tabassum

    Five different voices from architecture reflect on the work and impact of Marina Tabassum.
  • Kenneth Frampton, recipient of the 2019 Soane Medal, standing on a ladder in front of a row of bookshelves

    2019 Kenneth Frampton

    ‘In my view the earthwork and its extension into the landscape has the potential today of constituting the core of a resistant architecture.’
  • Kenneth Frampton, recipient of the 2019 Soane Medal, standing on a ladder in front of a row of bookshelves

    Five Voices: On Kenneth Frampton

    Five different voices from architecture reflect on the work and legacy of Kenneth Frampton.
  • Photograph of Denise Scott Brown standing in front of the Las Vegas strip

    2018 Denise Scott Brown

    ‘Architects often talk about designing public space, but I wanted them to learn how people actually use such spaces, and to listen when social planners warn that it isn’t public unless the public uses it.’
  • Photograph of Denise Scott Brown taking a photograph of herself in a mirror

    Five Voices: On Denise Scott Brown

    Five different voices from architecture reflect on the work and legacy of Denise Scott Brown, through her seminal book and architecture studio – Learning from Las Vegas.
  • Rafael Moneo, recipient of the 2017 Soane Medal

    2017 Rafael Moneo

    ‘The vaults of the Atocha Station recall motifs found in Soane’s work – recognising that in architecture there is no need to fear precedents.’
  • Rafael Moneo at Columbia University. Photo M Moran

    Five Voices: On Rafael Moneo

    Five different voices from architecture reflect on the work and legacy of Rafael Moneo.

Further reading

Publications of past Soane Medal Lectures are available to purchase through the Shop. Each lecture is published in its entirety and is richly illustrated.

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