The Dubliner said he was delighted to receive the 2026 Royal Gold Medal for architecture – a high honour in the field that is bestowed on behalf of Britain's King Charles. The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) announced on Thursday that Mr McLaughlin will receive the award, describing his work as having a “remarkable consistency” and “shaped by a deep sensitivity to place”. Mr McLaughlin was born in Geneva in 1962 and was educated in Dublin, studying architecture at University College Dublin between 1979 and 1984. Mr McLaughlin has also been an advocate for young architects, calling for transparency in working hours and pay, as well as openness around mental health. Bishop Edward King Chapel in Oxford (RIBA/PA)“I am delighted and honoured to receive the 2026 Royal Gold Medal for architecture,” Mr McLaughlin said:“My team and I view architecture as a continuity of practice across generations.

Source: The Herald January 29, 2026 08:11 UTC