Dutch artist and co-founder of the renowned architecture firm OMA, Madelon Vriesendorp, has been awarded the prestigious 2025 Soane Medal for her groundbreaking surrealist artworks that "continue to influence the architects of today and tomorrow." The announcement marks a significant recognition of her decades-long contribution to the intersection of art and architecture.
Vriesendorp, who established OMA alongside Rem Koolhaas, Elia Zenghelis, and Zoe Zenghelis in 1975, becomes the eighth recipient of the distinguished award. She is perhaps best known for her iconic artwork "Flagrant Delit," a provocative painting that depicts the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building in bed together. This memorable piece was later featured as the front cover of Koolhaas's influential book "Delirious New York," cementing its place in architectural history.
"Vriesendorp was one of the founders of OMA in 1975, and many of her surrealist, mystical and comedic images have become iconic and continue to influence the architects of today and tomorrow," stated the official Soane Medal citation. The award committee praised her unique ability to transform complex architectural theories into accessible visual narratives, noting that "her work has given architectural theories playful and memorable identities, helping to explain complex ideas behind modern and postmodern architecture through visuals fueled by her own unique imagination, where buildings have human characteristics and inner lives."
The annual Soane Medal was established by the Sir John Soane's Museum in 2017 to honor the museum's founder and his mission to promote the importance of architecture in people's daily lives. Vriesendorp's recognition makes her the first UK-based woman to receive this prestigious award, highlighting her significant impact on the field.
Born in the Netherlands in 1945, Vriesendorp pursued her artistic education at Amsterdam's Rietveld Academy and London's Central Saint Martins before relocating to New York in 1972. She returned to London in 1976, where she became deeply involved in OMA's work, creating paintings that supported the studio's various competition entries and projects. Her artwork frequently appeared on book and magazine covers, helping to establish OMA's visual identity and architectural philosophy.
Reflecting on her connection to the award's namesake, Vriesendorp shared personal insights about her artistic journey. "Rightly or wrongly, artists and architects are often regarded as the 'legitimate' arbiters of beauty," she explained. "Classical forms and ancient objects found in the ruins of earlier civilizations traditionally provide our inspiration – these connections often feel more personal than material, we are inspired less by the objects themselves than by the inspirations of others."
Vriesendorp's relationship with the Soane Museum runs particularly deep, dating back to her youth. "When I first visited the Soane Museum at 19, I found true inspiration, maybe even a kindred spirit," she continued. "Soane has influenced my work as an artist, my method, and my approach to creative collaborations."
Beyond her print media appearances, Vriesendorp's artistic contributions extended to architectural projects themselves. She created a notable mural for OMA's Netherlands Dance Theatre in the Hague, which has since been demolished. Additionally, her famous "Flagrant Delit" painting was transformed into an animated film through her collaboration with filmmaker Teri Wehn-Damisch, demonstrating the versatility and enduring appeal of her artistic vision.
Vriesendorp also maintained significant collaborative relationships with other prominent figures in architecture and theory. She worked closely with architecture historian and landscape architect Charles Jencks, creating illustrations and models that appeared in several of Jencks's influential publications. These collaborations helped bridge the gap between theoretical architectural discourse and visual communication.
Her artistic legacy has been celebrated through various exhibitions worldwide. A comprehensive exhibition titled "World of Madelon Vriesendorp" opened at the Architectural Association in 2008 and subsequently traveled to prestigious venues including Aedes Berlin, the Venice Art Biennale, and the Swiss Architectural Museum, among others.
Sir John Soane's Museum director Will Gompertz drew historical parallels in praising Vriesendorp's contributions. "As Sir John Soane had Joseph Gandy as an architect-cum-artist to help determine his creations through Gandy's atmospheric watercolors, so architects Rem Koolhaas and Charles Jencks have collaborated with Madelon to draw on her visionary creativity to bring an added dimension to their practice," he stated. Gompertz emphasized the continued relevance of her work, noting that "the fact that students today are inspired by Madelon's art and approach – a combination of humor and intellectual rigor – is a mark of the continued relevance and resonance of her work."
The award ceremony will take place at London's Royal Academy on November 18, where Vriesendorp will be formally presented with the medal and deliver a lecture on the role of artists in architecture. This presentation will provide an opportunity for her to share insights from her extensive career and discuss the evolving relationship between artistic expression and architectural practice.
The 2025 recognition follows previous notable recipients of the Soane Medal. Last year's award was presented to structural engineer Hanif Kara, who co-founded the engineering firm AKT II, while the 2023 medal was awarded to the social housing specialists Lacaton & Vassal, demonstrating the award's recognition of diverse contributions to architectural excellence and innovation.
