The New Traditional Architecture
The Serra Heriques Foundation implements the Rafael Manzano Traditional Architecture Prize in Portugal, with the High Patronage of the President of the Republic.
The Rafael Manzano Prize is part of a set of programmes for the preservation of Iberian cultural identity and new traditional architecture's constructive arts.
The initiative was created by the International Network for Traditional Architecture & Urbanism under the patronage of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales and thanks to the generosity of American philanthropist Richard H. Driehaus, that has a particular admiration for Iberian architecture.
The prize was originally launched in 2012 and included the Spanish territory alone - the award was granted annually by Her Royal Highness, Elena of Spain.
Via the protocol celebrated between the Serra Henriques Foundation and the British institution, the Prize was implemented in Portugal and is perceived as an opportunity of appreciating regions and local culture and economy, and a strong boost towards the promotion of our country's identifying values.
Architect Rafael Manzano was the first awarded with the prize, with his name becoming its designation, acknowledging the dedication of his professional life to preserving classical and traditional architectonic patrimony, both through restoration and through the design of new work based on that identifying patrimony.
With a monetary value of 50.000€, this award intends to honour the work of those that contribute the most to the preservation of traditional architecture and urban planning, whether through the restoration of monuments and urban ensembles of artistic and historic value or through the design of new work that integrates in the local constructive and architectonic traditions.
The award is open to all working professionals that have developed their activity within the domains of architecture or urban planning in Portugal or Spain for, at least, ten years.
For this occasion, the Serra Henriques Foundation was granted the High Patronage of His Excellency the President of the Portuguese Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.