UNStudio's Ben van Berkel + Caroline Bos presented with 2016 BNA Kubus Award

UNStudio co-founders Ben van Berkel and Caroline Bos were recently presented with the honorable 2016 Kubus Award, the Royal Institute of Dutch Architects' (BNA) highest accolade. Having just concluded its 41st edition, the Kubus Award is bestowed to an individual or an institution that has made a significant contribution to Dutch architecture. Recipients are also selected based on the stellar craftsmanship, innovation, and widespread recognition of their body of work.

The jury cited van Berkel, Bos, and the UNStudio team for their steadfast dedication to improving architectural design and practice, as well as their notable contributions to theory and education. 

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“No one controls the creative and technical process better than UNStudio. They prove that in-depth research pays off, as does network-driven collaboration with professionals in the fields of architecture, infrastructure and urban development...”, the jury commented. In addition to the firm's consistent attention to detail and execution, the jury commended UNStudio for the “major contribution they make to dialogue and theory development within the profession. They do so by, among other things, participating in debates, giving lectures, teaching at architecture faculties abroad, and through their many publications.”

Honored and delighted to receive the 2016 Kubus Award, Ben van Berkel said he “sees this oeuvre prize as encouragement ...because there is still so much to be done.” Caroline Bos gave a proud shoutout to the UNStudio team — to “the many people who have worked for so many years, day after day, giving their everything and of whom we are very proud,” Bos said. “All of them enhance the creativity, strength and resilience of our practice in many ways.”

The 2016 jury included Nathalie de Vries (chair), Steven Nobel, Ton Idsinga, Wienke Bodewes, Willem Hein Schenk, and Willem Jan Neutelings.

Check out some of UNStudio's projects in the links below.