Award ceremony and acceptance speech, 1st Frontiers of Knowledge Award 2008 in Arts

In his speech upon receiving the 2008 BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award in Arts, Steven Holl reflects on architecture as an art form that integrates space, light, and human experience. He argues that buildings should engage in dialogue with their cultural and natural surroundings, and highlights the importance of sensory perception and memory in the creation of meaningful spaces. He advocates for creativity as a driver of innovation and emphasizes that architecture must combine functionality with poetic depth to contribute to collective well-being.

The BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award in the Arts category is awarded to architect Steven Holl in recognition of the leading position his work has held over more than 30 years of professional practice, characterized by strong disciplinary coherence and rigor. The jury also highlighted the humanistic values preserved in his work, which combines a vanguard spirit with social and environmental needs.