Prize / competition

Alvar Aalto Medal 2024 goes to Belgian architect Marie-José Van Hee

The fifteenth Alvar Aalto Medal has been awarded to Belgian architect Marie-José Van Hee. Her output covers a wide range of projects, from private houses to public spaces and cultural buildings. Van Hee is the first (individual) woman architect to receive the Alvar Aalto Medal.

Marie-José Van Hee architecten, House Van Hee © Photo: Crispijn Van Sas

Biography

Marie-José Van Hee (b. 1950) graduated as an architect from Ghent’s Sint-Lucas School of Architecture in 1974. In 1990, she established her own practice in Ghent – now Marie José Van Hee architecten.

Van Hee was Professor of Architectural Design at Sint-Lucas School of Architecture (1991– 2015) and Visiting Professor at ETH Zurich (2016–2017). Until 2022, she was a guest critic and lecturer at universities in Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, France and Switzerland. Van Hee’s best-known works include the Fashion Museum “Modenatie” (1999–2003) in Antwerp her own home, House Van Hee (1994–1998), House V-D (2007–2020), both in Ghent, and House HdF (2007–2011) in Zuidzande, the Netherlands.

"“Marie-José Van Hee’s work shows a consistently sensitive, contextual, and finely crafted approach. Her architecture is rooted in its context and the surrounding landscape – not only reflecting but contributing to a Flemish local vernacular over the course of her career. Her work is characterised by a beautifully understated command of natural materials, light and proportions, producing quiet, intimate spaces, designed around daily life,” the Medal jury said in its statement."

Alvar Aalto Medal

The medal bearing the name of Academician Alvar Aalto and also designed by him, was founded in 1967 to honour creative architecture. The medal can be awarded to living persons who have in a significant way distinguished themselves creatively within the field of architecture. The internationally renowned prize is awarded every few years.

Alvar Aalto Medal 2024 Jury members at the Studio Aalto (from left): Erkko Aarti (AOR Architects, Helsinki), Professor of Architecture Sharon Johnston (Johnston Marklee & Associates, Los Angeles), architect Finn Williams (Public Practice, Malmö), architect and journalist Tarja Nurmi (Finland) and architect Yvonne Farrell (Grafton Architects, Dublin).

The 15th Alvar Aalto Medal is awarded at the Alvar Aalto Symposium in Jyväskylä on 22.8.2024.

Read the full Press Release

exhibition

Marie-José Van Hee architecten. A Walk

From 30 November 2022 to 21 May 2023, the exhibition Marie-José Van Hee architects. A Walk was held at DE SINGEL in Antwerp. The exhibition hall was temporarily transformed into Marie-José Van Hee's home and the architect had a series of interventions implemented on and around the arts campus. A Walk was a unique exploration into the world of this grande dame of Belgian architecture

Watch the video-interview with Sofie De Caigny, Koen Van Synghel and Marie-José Van Hee.

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Alvar Aalto Medal 2024 goes to Belgian architect Marie-José Van Hee

Marie-José Van Hee architecten. A Walk