MSc Alumnus wins prestigious architecture prize

MSc in Sustainable Urban Development alumnus Javier Cenicacelaya has been presented with the prestigious Rafael Manzano Martos Award for Classical Architecture and Restoration of Monuments.

This prestigious annual award, which includes a prize of 50,000 euros, is awarded to architects in recognition of their conservation of architectural and landscape heritage. The prize is sponsored by Richard H. Driehaus Charitable Trust and the School of Architecture at the University of Notre Dame.

Javier (standing on the right in the picture) wins this prize together with his associate Inigo Salona (standing left). Javier expresses 'gratitude for the recognition of more than three decades of architectural work.' (Thanks to photographer Miguel Ángel Manzano for permission to use this photograph)

'This prize gives encouragement to architects that practice classical architecture and take seriously into consideration our architectural heritage,' he says. 'Classical architecture is very rational, on top of being very elegant and beautiful.'

Javier joined the MSc in Sustainable Urban Development in 2011 with more than 30 years' experience as a professional architect and academic, seeking to embellish his practice with an understanding of sustainability.

'Classical architecture, in the widest sense, constitutes a real lesson nowadays, especially when much contemporary architecture seems to be ignorant of it's the context. The MSc provided me with many interesting perspectives on our world. We have been defending a sustainable approach to architecture ever since, and the MSc is a positive tool indeed.'

For more information about the MSc in Sustainable Urban Development please visit www.conted.ox.ac.uk/msud or email sud@conted.ox.ac.uk or phone +44 (0)1865 286951.

Published 17 February 2015