As a practitioner, researcher and educator, Marina Tabassum's body of work demonstrates a deep sense of commitment to the social and cultural role of architecture, making her an undisputed name in contemporary architecture and a benchmark for the future of the practice. Over the past three decades the Bangladesh-based architect has proven to be an inspiring example of how working with local communities can have a positive impact across the globe – even under most adverse conditions. The renowned Bait Ur Rouf Mosque, a place of worship and refuge in a dense Dhaka neighbourhood, was listed by the New York Times as one of the top 25 buildings built since World War II.
By focusing her practice on her country, Marina has been raising awareness of climate change and extreme circumstances, such as the major floods that displaced millions in her country, where 700 rivers of the Ganges Delta pose a constant threat. To help navigate that, she advocates for a more naturalistic approach to architecture, or «the wisdom of the land», that prioritises local skills, materials and natural cycles, as well as indigenous knowledge, leaving behind the major footprint of big soaring architectural designs.
The international jury responsible for selecting the winner of the Achievement Award highlighted that “Marina Tabassum's bold step forward, transforming architecture’s role from a passive-commission model into an active-initiative one, keeps showing us the way towards how architects can challenge the climate crisis and bring about social change in an experimental, respectful and inspiring manner.” It is worth mentioning that Tabassum was the first person from the Global South to receive the Achievement Award. Meanwhile she was listed in 2024 as one of the 100 most influential people on the planet by Time magazine. The Award
We have chosen an artwork designed by Carlos Nogueira, an acclaimed artist born in Mozambique. Nogueira's oeuvre merges sculpture, painting, sculpture, installation and writing across everyday materials, such as iron, wood, cement, glass or charcoal. Over the decades, it has been possible to coin the artist's path with a poetic point of view in life and relationships with others, which reflects not only an existential dimension but also a naturalistic approach to his surroundings. His body of work has received many accolades.
About
The Lisbon Triennale Millennium bcp Achievement Award honours a working studio or individual whose work and ideas have influenced and continue to have a profound impact on contemporary architectural practice and thinking. We believe in consistency and excellence, in relevant work and its distinction. The scope of this award has included nominators and jury members from five continents, ensuring a plurality of voices that has given it solid credibility. Since 2007, recipients of this Award receive an original work of art created by a prestigious/celebrated Portuguese artist, contributing for the promotion of our artistic production.
Júri
Cristina Veríssimo
Diogo Burnay
N’Goné Fall
Yael Reisner
Zhang Ke
Nominators
Alice Rawsthorn, Ana Dana Beroš, Bekim Ramku, Carlos Mínguez Carrasco, Chuka Ihonor, David Basulto, Denise Scott Brown, Ethel Baraona Pohl, Eve Arpo, Fabrizio Gallanti, Hanna Dencik Petersson, Herbert Wright, Jimenez Lai, Joanna Wasko, Josephine Michau, Julija Reklaitė, Marina Otero Verzier, Martynas Germanavičius, Matevž Čelik, Mimi Zeiger, Nathalie Weadick, Olamide Udoma-Ejorh, Paul Preissner, Paula Nascimento, Saimir Kristo, Sevra Davis, Shumi Bose, Sini Parikka, Taro Igarashi, Vera Sacchetti, Victoria Thornton e Zahra Ali Baba
