© Paulo Mendes da Rocha

Arper is delighted to be for the second year the sole sponsor of the RIBA Royal Gold Medal.

The Royal Gold Medal is one of the most prestigious and important awards in Great Britain, organized by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), on behalf of Her Majesty The Queen.
The prize is given to a person or group of people who have had a significant influence either directly or indirectly on the advancement of architecture.

Sponsorship of this celebrated event marks the launch of an annual partnership that will see Arper sponsor the RIBA National Award winners summer party, celebrating the UK’s best new architecture, and as furniture supporter of the internationally renowned RIBA Stirling Prize, for the UK’s best new building, in the autumn.
Over the course of the year Arper and RIBA will partner on a series of further initiatives aimed at strengthening the partnership, as well as promoting Arper’s collaborative approach and commitment towards the architects and design community.

Claudio Feltrin, Chairman Arper said: “Arper believes in promoting an intercultural dialogue across arts, architecture and design, and the strong partnership with RIBA sits in this cultural context.”

This year’s Medal is awarded to the appreciated and world-renowned architect Paulo Mendes da Rocha, Brazil’s most celebrated living architect.
Arper congratulates Mendes da Rocha for being awarded this distinguished Prize in celebration of his lifetime’s work.

Museu Brasileiro da Escultura © Nelson Kon

Born in Vitória, Brazil in 1928, Paulo Mendes da Rocha has received international acclaim for his significant contribution to architecture. Mendes da Rocha’s numerous notable cultural buildings, built in his particular Brazilian Brutalist style with exposed concrete structures and rough finishes, are widely credited with transforming the city of São Paulo. In 1957 he completed his first celebrated building, the Athletic Club of São Paulo, followed by a large number of further public buildings in the city including Saint Peter Chapel (1987), the Brazilian Sculpture Museum MuBE (1988), Patriach Plaza (1992-2002), the Pinacoteca do Estado gallery (1993) and the FIESP Cultural Center (1997). Outside São Paulo, notable buildings include the Serra Dourada football stadium in Goiás (1973), Lady of the Conception Chapel in Recife (2006) and Cais das Artes arts centre in Vitória (2008).

Patriarch Plaza © Nelson Kon

Paulo Mendes da Rocha said:
'After so many years of work, it is a great joy to receive this recognition from the Royal Institute of British Architects for the contribution my lifetime of work and experiments have given to the progress of architecture and society. I would like to send my warmest wishes to all those who share my passion, in particular British architects, and share this moment with all the architects and engineers that have collaborated on my projects.'

Museu Nacional dos Coches © ArmenioTeixeira

Paulo Mendes da Rocha will be presented with the Royal Gold Medal for architecture by RIBA President Jane Duncan on behalf of the Queen at a ceremony held at the RIBA on February 1st 2017.

Pinacoteca do Estado © Nelson Kon

Duna 02 chairs, designed by Lievore Altherr Molina for Arper, have been chosen to furnish the official interview with Paulo Mendes da Rocha at the Gala Dinner on 1st February 2017.