In a spectacular showcase of architectural creativity, The Architecture Drawing Prize, now in its 7th year, has announced its 2023 category winners. Presented by the collaborative efforts of Make Architects, Sir John Soane’s Museum, and the World Architecture Festival, the esteemed prize, generously sponsored by Iris Ceramica Group, revealed an exceptional array of entries from across the globe. Totalling nearly 250 drawings, hand-drawn submissions dominated the field, showcasing the enduring allure and craftsmanship of this traditional form of artistic expression.

The hand-drawn category witnessed Ben Johnson clinching victory with his meticulous ink drawing titled Grundtvig, inspired by Copenhagen’s 1920s Grundtvig Church. Ken Shuttleworth, founder of Make Architects and a member of the jury who set up the Architecture Drawing Prize in 2017, praised Johnson’s ability to transform architectural renditions into compelling art forms, noting the controlled precision that made the drawing a meaningful expression of architectural experience.

Eugene Tan emerged victorious in the digital category with his thought-provoking piece, The Archatographic Map of the Incomplete Landscape on Pedra Branca, exploring the vulnerability of our planet, particularly in Singapore. Esteemed judges Ben Langlands and Nikki Bell commended Tan’s ability to expand representational possibilities through a visually stunning and complex drawing.

In the hybrid category, Eldry John Infante claimed the top spot with (Re)membering the See Monster, a digitally manipulated drawing illustrating the transformation of a defunct oil platform. Louise Stewart, Head of Exhibitions at Sir John Soane’s Museum, praised the drawing’s skilful detail and dynamic composition that utilised a variety of visual languages.

Federica Minozzi, CEO of Iris Ceramica Group and Prize Judge, expressed her honour in sponsoring the award, emphasizing its role in reflecting architectural creativity and the human desire to experiment. The competition sparked profound discussions among the jury about the evolving nature of architectural drawing in the face of advancing technologies.

The winning drawings will be on display at the World Architecture Festival in Singapore from 29 November to 1 December 2023. Sir John Soane’s Museum in London will exhibit both the winning and shortlisted entries from 31 January to 3 March 2024. The Overall Winner will be announced in a webinar hosted by Sir John Soane’s Museum on 29 January 2024.

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