Santiago Calatrava to Be Honored With Leonardo Da Vinci Lifetime Achievement Award for Design at Florence Biennale

The Leonardo da Vinci Lifetime Achievement Award for Design will be presented to renowned Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava as part of the XIV Florence Biennale, held this year from October 14–22 in the Italian cultural center. Calatrava has had a legendary four-decade professional path in design.

© Thomas Hoeffgen

As the Bienalle put it, “As an appreciation to one of the most noteworthy architects of this generation, the Florence Biennale bestows the Leonardo Da Vinci Lifetime Achievement Award in honor of his or her daring exploration, exceptional skills, and innovative capacity to integrate architecture and art in projects envisioned and designed in coherence with nature and focused towards the principles of elegance.”

Auditorio de Tenerife “Adán Martín”. © Diario de Tenerife

The Esteemed Leonardo Da Vinci Lifetime Achievement Award

As the honor suggests, Calatrava has used his extensive knowledge of engineering concepts to design remarkable works of architecture, such as the Quadracci Pavilion in Milwaukee, the Sundial Bridge in California, and the United Arab Emirates Pavilion at EXPO 2020 in Dubai.

Sundial Bridge in California. © Thaddeus Roan, Flickr

Alongside his 42-year action, Calatrava has had a glorious academic occupation, serving as a perpetual guest instructor at the ETH Zurich, Yale School of Architecture, and MIT, among other institutions. He was also awarded the AIA Gold Medal in 2005 and the European Prize for Architecture in 2015.

City of Arts and Sciences. © Wandering the World

Additionally, the Cavaniglia Pavilion will feature a display room devoted to displaying a selection of Calatrava’s work. At the celebration, which will take place in the Fortezza da Basso’s Spadolini Pavilion on October 19, he will also give a speech to the crowd.

Museum of Tomorrow. © Gustavo Xavier

I Am You – Individual and Collective Identities in Contemporary Art and Design is this year’s Biennale’s overarching theme. This is the 14th time the Leonardo Da Vinci Lifetime Achievement Award competition has been held.