© Philip Vile

Arper was the sole sponsor of “Royal Gold Medal 2016“, 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 Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), established in 1834, is the oldest association of architects in the world, with over 40.000 members, and is one of the most important professional associations in the UK.

The 2016 Royal Gold Medal was received by the appreciated and world-renowned architect Zaha Hadid, the first woman to be awarded the prestigious prize since it was established by Her Majesty The Queen in 1848.

© Philip Vile / Sophie Mutevelian

The Royal Gold Medal is given to a person or group of people who have had a significant influence “either directly or indirectly on the advancement of architecture”.
Zaha Hadid is internationally known for her built, theoretical and academic work. Each of her dynamic and innovative projects builds on over thirty years of revolutionary experimentation and research in the fields of architecture, design and urbanism.

© Philip Vile

Dame Zaha Hadid CBE was 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 3rd 2016. The citation was read by one of the architects who nominated her, Professor Sir Peter Cook, a previous Royal Gold Medalist in 2002. On the occasion Zaha Hadid gave a lecture at the RIBA where she discussed her philosophy, her disappointments and her triumphs.

She was interviewed by John Wilson of the renowned broadcasting station BBC Radio 4’s Front Row.

Catifa 53 chairs, designed by Lievore Altherr Molina for Arper, have been chosen to furnish the official interview to Zaha Hadid at the Gala Dinner on 3rd February 2016.

© Philip Vile

Sponsoring this initiative marks the beginning of a collaboration between RIBA and Arper that will continue during 2016.