British architect wins top honor from Queen Elizabeth

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The British architect who designed the iconic Eden Project in Cornwall, a county in South West England, and London Waterloo Station's international terminal, was awarded the 2019 Royal Gold Medal for Architecture Thursday night.

Sir Nicholas Grimshaw was presented Britain's highest honor for architecture at an event in London at the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) after it was approved personally by Queen Elizabeth.

Illuminated trees and plants in the Mediterranean Biome at the Eden Project in Cornwall, England, November 24, 2018. /VCG Photo

Grimshaw is best-known for his Modernist public buildings and large-scale infrastructure projects including the Eden Project and the international terminal at London's Waterloo station.

Presented by the RIBA in recognition of a lifetime's work, the Royal Gold Medal is given to a person or group of people who have had a significant influence either directly or indirectly on the advancement of architecture.

Playing a leading role in British architecture for more than half a century, Grimshaw's work is being highlighted at a free exhibition, called Evolution, charting his career from the 1960s to the present day. It opened Thursday and continues until March 9 at RIBA's office in Portland Place, London.

A visitor admires illuminated plants inside the Rainforest Biome at the Eden Project in Cornwall, England, November 22, 2018. /VCG Photo

Grimshaw graduated in 1965 and has lectured in 23 countries. He is the chairman of Grimshaw Architects which employs 600 people in eight studios worldwide.

Renowned British architect Norman Foster said Grimshaw's work has greatly helped define the post-war era of British architecture and also influenced the international architectural community.

(Cover: The roof of the Rainforest Biome bathed in purple light at the Eden Project in Cornwall, England. /VCG Photo)

Source(s): Xinhua News Agency