Yvonne Farrell and Shelley McNamara: Architects of Human Connection

    Yvonne Farrell and Shelley McNamara, the 2020 Pritzker Architecture Prize laureates, are celebrated for their powerful and humane architecture that prioritizes human connection and celebrates the beauty of everyday life. Their work, primarily based in Ireland, is characterized by its robust materiality, its sensitivity to context, and its ability to create spaces that foster community and enrich the human experience.

A Collaborative Partnership:

    Farrell and McNamara have worked together for over four decades, establishing their practice, Grafton Architects, in Dublin in 1978. Their long-standing collaboration is a testament to their shared vision and their deep understanding of the power of architecture to shape lives.

Poetry in the Everyday:

    Their architecture is not about grand gestures or flashy designs. Instead, it is about finding poetry in the everyday, celebrating the beauty of simple materials and the power of human interaction. Their buildings often feature robust concrete structures, which they soften with natural light, warm materials, and a deep understanding of human scale.

Key Themes:

    • Humanism: Farrell and McNamara's work is deeply rooted in a humanistic approach, prioritizing the needs and experiences of the people who will use their buildings. 

    • Context: Their buildings are carefully integrated into their surroundings, responding to the specific landscape, climate, and cultural context. 

    • Materiality: They have a deep understanding of materials, particularly concrete, which they use in innovative and expressive ways. 

    • Collaboration: Their work is a product of their long-standing collaboration and their commitment to working closely with clients and communities. 

    

Iconic Works:

    • Università Luigi Bocconi (Milan, Italy): This university building, with its dramatic cantilevered volumes and its generous public spaces, is a testament to their ability to create buildings that are both functional and inspiring.

 Università Luigi Bocconi by Yvonne Farrell and Shelley McNamara 

    • Medical Research Building, University of Limerick (Limerick, Ireland): This building, with its exposed concrete structure and its integration with the surrounding landscape, creates a sense of connection to nature and to the community.

      Medical Research Building, University of Limerick by Yvonne Farrell and Shelley McNamara 

    • Urban Institute Ireland, University College Dublin (Dublin, Ireland): This building, with its layered facades and its emphasis on natural light, creates a welcoming and stimulating environment for research and learning.

      Urban Institute Ireland, University College Dublin by Yvonne Farrell and Shelley McNamara 

    • The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (Dublin, Ireland): Their own offices, housed in a renovated Georgian building, demonstrate their ability to blend old and new, creating a contemporary workspace within a historic context. 

    

Pritzker Prize Citation:

    The Pritzker Prize jury praised Farrell and McNamara for "their unwavering commitment to excellence in architecture," for "their generosity of spirit," and for "their belief in the collaborative nature of architectural practice." They highlighted their ability to "create buildings that are both humane and monumental," and their "profound understanding of the relationship between architecture and its context."

Legacy:

    Yvonne Farrell and Shelley McNamara's work is a powerful reminder that architecture can be a force for good in the world. Their buildings are not just structures; they are places where people can connect, learn, and thrive. Their legacy is one of humanism, collaboration, and a deep commitment to the power of architecture to enrich the human experience.