MVRDV

(Rotterdam/San Francisco, May 4 2009): Winy Maas was awarded AIA’s prestigious College of Fellows Honorary Fellowship during an investiture ceremony at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco, California, USA, on 1st May, during the AIA National Convention. It is an honor awarded to international architects who have made significant contributions to the architectural profession, not only as an individual, but also to architecture and society on an international level.

The 2009 Jury of Fellows elevated 9 international architects to Honorary Fellowship. The Honorary Fellowship is bestowed on architects of esteemed character and distinguished achievements who are neither U.S. citizens nor U.S. residents, and who do not primarily practice architecture within the domain of the Institute.

Winy Maas received the honor for "Being one of the most influential architects of his generation." The laudation during the investiture ceremony mentioned further that "he is a thought and design leader who challenges current perceptions through a fascination for radical methodical research".

Together with Winy Maas, Jo Coenen of JCCA Architects, Smiljan Radic Clarke, Chile, Bruno Gabbiani of Studio Gabbiani Associati and Manfredi Nicoletti of Studio Nicoletti, Italy, received an Honorary Fellowship.

In the United States MVRDV works at the moment on a series of flood proof homes for the Lower Ninth Ward in New Orleans which was devastated by Hurricane Katrina, commissioned by the “Make it Right” Foundation, an initiative of actor Brad Pitt. The first home designed by MVRDV will start construction in 2009.

A small number of AIA Honorary Fellows are selected annually by a Jury of Fellows and several practicing architects from the United States. Honorary Fellows selected in previous years include David Adjaye, UK, Stefan Behnisch, Germany, David Chipperfield, UK, and Dominique Perrault, France.