An international jury has awarded the prizes Richard H. Driehaus of the Construction Arts, which has the collaboration of the Ministry of Development, in its call 2019, to four Spanish artisans from different disciplines of work focused on metal and glass, stonemasonry and masonry, wood and traditional construction.
The Richard H. Driehaus Awards for Construction Arts are prizes awarded in Spain to the main master craftsmen with the aim of promoting traditional crafts that help to preserve traditional construction, helping to promote the local economy, especially necessary in rural areas so affected by depopulation and making possible the conservation of our heritage.
They are convened annually by INTBAU (International Network for Traditional Building, Architecture and Urbanism), thanks to the support of the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Works, through the General Secretary of Housing, the Ministry of Culture and Sports. , the Rafael Manzano Martos Prize and the Superior Council of Architects of Spain.
Awards granted in the Call 2019
The prizes, awarded each with an amount of 10,000 euros, have been awarded to the following artisans based on their unique works:
- In the category of metal and glass work, the glass teacher Anna Santolaria, founder of the Can Pinyonaire stained-glass workshop (Gerona), has been awarded.
- In the category of stonework and masonry, Lluc Mir, a Mallorcan specialist in the construction of dry stone walls typical of Mallorca, a technique recently declared by UNESCO as Intangible Heritage of Humanity, has been awarded.
- In the category of woodwork, Miguel Angel Balmaseda, carpenter and cabinetmaker with an outstanding work in the realization of doors and windows, and in particular the earlocks of the Ecija tradition.
- Finally, in the category of finishes and other works of traditional construction, this year's prize went to Luis Prieto, from León. Formed in Germany, Belgium and France it is dedicated to the elaboration of stuccos, handmade coatings and paintings with natural pigments.
Award ceremony and opening of the exhibition
The award ceremony and the inauguration of the exhibition that will show the works of the award-winning craftsmen will take place on June 12 at the Nuevos Ministerios Arquerías (Castellana, 67), and can be visited by the public from the June 13 until July 28.
