Each year, the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) recognizes an individual or a practice that has made an impactful contribution to the theory and practice of architecture by awarding them the RIBA Charles Jencks Award. This year RIBA named Ensamble Studio, led by the Georgia Tech School of Architecture Thomas W. Ventlett III Distinguished Chair in Architectural Design, Débora Mesa and Antón García-Abril, the 2019 Charles Jencks Award recipients.

“We have found an ever-expanding field for exploration and invention in architecture—one where every built work is just the beginning of the next project to come, in constant evolution and full of creative uncertainties,” Said Mesa and García-Abril in response to the award. “One that has the enormous potential to transcend our own actions and become part of bigger ideas, bigger endeavors and greater communities. The RIBA Charles Jencks Award has a challenging mission and a humbling list of recipients, so winning it is as surprising as encouraging. We receive it with great happiness and gratitude, eager to do much more and much better.”

“Débora Mesa and Antón Garcia-Abril are bold in their work, which explores the powerful combination of placemaking, functionality, refinement and beauty, in both urban and rural areas,” said David Gloster, Chair of the RIBA Charles Jencks Award judging panel and RIBA Director of Education. “Ensamble Studio is a highly collaborative practice built on the personal, professional and academic strengths of its staff and is a great example of using creative thinking to navigate architectural challenges.”

Learn more about Ensamble Studio and the 2019 RIBA Charles Jencks Award here.