Architect Phyllis Lambert awarded the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement of the 14th International Architecture Exhibition at the Venice Biennale earlier today.

MONTREAL, June 7, 2014 /CNW/ - The Canadian Centre for Architecture (CCA) is proud to announce that Phyllis Lambert, architect and CCA Founding Director Emeritus, received earlier today in Venice the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement of the 14^th International Architecture Exhibition Fundamentals at the Venice Biennale.

"It is glorious to be so exquisitely recognized by my peers. This award and the Biennale theme 'Fundamentals,' mark the role of architecture writ large in the unfolding of the world's increasingly challenging social, economic, technical and ecological condition. We underline the urgent need for authentic engagement. It is my splendid privilege to continue on this road," stated Phyllis Lambert.

The decision to bestow this award upon Lambert was announced on May 20^th 2014, following a selection made by the Board of la Biennale di Venezia, chaired by Paolo Baratta, under Director Rem Koolhaas, who explained the choice: "Not as an architect, but as a client and custodian, Phyllis Lambert has made a huge contribution to architecture.

He continued, "Without her participation, one of the few realizations in the 20^th 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."

CCA Director Mirko Zardini stated, "I am very happy about this well-deserved recognition. It has been a real pleasure working with Phyllis through the years, both building and transforming the CCA and suggesting new, alternative approaches for architecture and for architects to engage with."

As Koolhaas added, "Architects make architecture; Phyllis Lambert made architects."

Phyllis Lambert, architect, author, lecturer, scholar, curator, conservationist, citizen activist and critic of architecture and urbanism, is Founding Director Emeritus of the Canadian Centre for Architecture (CCA), Montréal, an international research centre and museum founded on the conviction that architecture is a public concern, which last month celebrated the 25^th anniversary of its opening to the public. Lambert, CC, FRAIC, Hon. FRIBA, Hon. FAIA, has been a driving force in architecture since the 1950s, when, as Director of Planning for the Seagram Building, she chose the pioneering modern master Ludwig Mies van der Rohe as architect for the project. She is recognized internationally for her continuing contribution in advancing contemporary architecture, and for her concern for the social issues of urban conservation and the role of architecture in the public realm.

Image with caption: "Phyllis lambert receiving the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the 2014 Venice Biennale, with Rem Koolhaas (left) and Paolo Baratta (right). © Italo Rondinella. Courtesy: la Biennale di Venezia (CNW Group/Canadian Centre for Architecture)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140607_C2864_PHOTO_EN_2545.jpg

SOURCE: Canadian Centre for Architecture

Isabelle Huiban, Head of Media Relations, Canadian Centre for Architecture, Tel.: [phone] ext. 2607, Cell. 514 222 4307, [email protected]