Articles Andrew Whalley honored with Champion’s Award from Consortium for Sustainable Urbanization

On Thursday, March 18, Grimshaw Chairman Andrew Whalley, RIBA FRSA FAIA, was awarded the Champion’s Award by the Consortium for Sustainable Urbanization (CSU) →. In an online gala, Andrew was presented with the Champion’s Award alongside President’s Award recipient Edward Mazria, FAIA, and Sustainability Award recipient Signe Nielsen, FASLA. In remarks from the gala, Andrew was introduced as “an architect who has transformed the streetscape and civic realm of New York with the Fulton Center transit hub, the Queens Museum transformation, the Via Verde affordable housing project in the South Bronx, and the insertion of beautiful newsstands and bus shelters citywide.”

In the award citation, CSU states, “We honor Andrew Whalley for his innate respect for the communities he serves and the planet he loves. He has been a leader in the research, planning, and design of objects, buildings, and entire environments that evidence a concern for the fragility of our world and the limitations of the earth’s resources. Andrew’s leadership, expertise, teaching, and work in the diverse sectors of education, performing arts, transportation and workplace internationally pursues his global mission to deliver zero carbon buildings, infrastructure, and places and socially and environmentally regenerative buildings within the next generation.” 

In prepared remarks, Andrew thanked the Consortium for Sustainable Urbanization and CSU President and Founder Lance Brown. Andrew also extended congratulations to his fellow award recipients for their design prowess, leadership and advocacy. In a short reflection on the role of sustainability in urbanization, particularly in our current times, Andrew said, “The work of the CSU has never been more important, a platform for debate, exploration and the development of ideas that can help tackle these new challenges we all face as we reformat our cities.”

He went on to say, “If the pandemic teaches us anything, I hope it is that we must work together, across nations, across continents and across conflicts, to develop solutions to the critical challenges that face us today. I am so glad that the Consortium for Sustainable Urbanization is taking a lead in developing those solutions, and once again, it’s an honor to be recognized for this award.”

Attendee Dr. Harriet Harris, Dean of the Pratt Institute School of Architecture, found Andrew’s words compelling. “You have offered us all a manifesto that serves to lead the industry and a clear pedagogic mandate to all school of architecture – one that helps to ensure we educate our students to become climate-literate and humanity-sustaining designers. The future relies upon this.”

19.03.2021