Zur deutschen Version

The Jane Drew Prize: Elevating Women in Architecture

by Chris Leete

"Black and white portrait of a woman alongside a contemporary, sculptural building with wavy glass facades against a blue sky." — Dmitry Ternovoy, FAL, via Wikimedia Commons, By Sebastian Wallroth, CC BY 3.0,

Celebrating outstanding contributions and advancing gender equality in architecture.

The Jane Drew Prize is a prestigious award given annually to an individual who has significantly raised the profile of women in architecture. Named after the pioneering modernist architect Jane Drew, this prize honors those who have pushed the boundaries of the profession and inspired future generations.

Jane Drew (1911-1996) was a pioneering British architect and urban planner known for her modernist approach and dedication to social housing. Her notable projects include housing developments in London and the planning of Chandigarh in India with Le Corbusier. Drew was a strong advocate for women’s participation in architecture, a field that was overwhelmingly male-dominated during her time.

Sarbjit Bahga, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

To honor her legacy, the Jane Drew Prize was established. It recognizes individuals who have shown outstanding commitment to advancing women in architecture. The prize celebrates those who have not only achieved excellence in their practice but also championed gender equality.

The Jane Drew Prize is awarded based on several key criteria:

Architectural Excellence: The recipient must have a distinguished body of work demonstrating innovation and high design standards.

Advocacy for Women: The recipient should have made significant efforts to promote gender equality in architecture through mentorship, advocacy, or public engagement.

Impact on the Profession: The recipient’s influence should be evident in the broader architectural community, inspiring both current and future generations.

A panel of esteemed judges, comprising architects, critics, and previous laureates, is responsible for selecting the winner. The process involves reviewing nominations and engaging in thoughtful deliberations to ensure the recipient truly embodies the values of the prize.

Over the years, the Jane Drew Prize has honored several influential figures in architecture:

Zaha Hadid (2012): Known for her groundbreaking designs, Hadid was the first woman to receive the Pritzker Architecture Prize.

Alt tag: "A split image featuring a woman in a black jacket standing thoughtfully next to the futuristic design of the Heydar Aliyev Center in Baku, Azerbaijan, showcasing its flowing white architecture."

Denise Scott Brown (2017): An advocate for women in architecture and co-author of “Learning from Las Vegas,” Scott Brown’s work has profoundly influenced architectural theory and practice.

This image features a woman seated in an armchair, positioned to the right of the frame, with her left hand resting on the chair's edge. The chair is upholstered in dark brown fabric with white accents. In the background, a large stone building dominates the scene, showcasing ornate carvings and architectural details that evoke a sense of grandeur and sophistication. The building's facade stretches upwards towards the sky, creating a striking contrast between the woman's intimate setting and the imposing structure behind her.

Grafton Architects (2020): Yvonne Farrell and Shelley McNamara, co-founders of Grafton Architects, are celebrated for their thoughtful and contextually responsive designs.

The image is a composite of two photographs, one featuring the exterior of a building and the other showing two women. The top left photograph shows two older white women with blonde hair and brown hair respectively, wearing cardigans. The bottom right photograph depicts the exterior of a large, grey stone or concrete building with a modern design. It has multiple levels, some of which are cantilevered over the street below. There is a black car in front of the building on the street. The background of the top left photograph appears to be a room with wood paneling and a window behind the women. The background of the bottom right photograph shows a blue sky with white clouds, as well as power lines above the street.

By Amor Vacui – arcVision Prize 2015 – Women and Architecture CC BY 3.0, By Designboom CC BY 3.0, By Paolo Gamba -CC BY 2.0

In 2024, the Jane Drew Prize was awarded to Iwona Buczkowska, a Polish-French architect known for her context-sensitive and community-focused designs. Her projects across Europe have garnered critical acclaim for their innovation and social consciousness.

Buczkowska’s dedication to mentoring young architects and advocating for gender equality in the profession has made her a respected figure and role model. Her recognition with the Jane Drew Prize highlights her dual contributions to architectural excellence and the advancement of women in the field.

The Jane Drew Prize continues to celebrate the achievements of women in architecture, honouring those who break barriers and inspire change. By recognizing individuals like Iwona Buczkowska, the prize honours their contributions and encourages a more inclusive future for the profession. This prestigious award is a testament to Jane Drew’s enduring legacy and the ongoing quest for gender equality in architecture.