Phyllis Lambert named as 2014 Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement recipient

Phyllis Lambert, Founding Director Emeritus of the Canadian Centre for Architecture, has been announced as the 2014 recipient of the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement. The award comes from the upcoming Venice Biennale -- the 14th International Architecture Exhibition Fundamentals opening June 7 through Nov. 23, 2014.

Aside from founding the CCA, Lambert is also widely known for commissioning the historic Seagram Building in New York to Mies van der Rohe.

Upon Lambert's selection, Venice Biennale Director Rem Koolhaas said:  "Not as an architect, but as a client and custodian, Phyllis Lambert has made a huge contribution to architecture. Without her participation, one of the few realizations in the 20th century of perfection on earth – the Seagram Building in New York – would not have happened. Her creation of the Canadian Centre for Architecture in Montreal combines rare vision with rare generosity to preserve crucial episodes of architecture’s heritage and to study them under ideal conditions. Architects make architecture; Phyllis Lambert made architects…"

Lambert was selected by the Board of la Biennale di Venezia, chaired by Paolo Baratta, under Director Rem Koolhaas. She will formally accept the Golden Lion award on June 7 at 11 a.m. in the Giardini of la Biennale, during the 14th International Architecture Exhibition opening and award ceremony.