The Boston Architectural College (BAC) awarded Polish American architect Daniel Libeskind—an international figure in architecture and urban design—with an honorary doctorate at the college’s 2023 commencement, where he also delivered a speech.
Libeskind joined an illustrious list of recent commencement speakers at the BAC that includes architect, Billie Tsien; Pritzker prize winner, Balkrishna Doshi; architect, William J. Bates; landscape architect and artist, Martha Schwartz; and BAC alum, Robert (Bob) J. Vila.
Libeskind established his architectural studio in Berlin, Germany, in 1989 after winning the competition to build the Jewish Museum in Berlin. In February 2003, Studio Libeskind moved its headquarters to New York City when Libeskind was selected as the master planner for the World Trade Center’s redevelopment. His extensive depth of work also includes the Imperial War Museum North in Manchester, the Denver Art Museum, and the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) in Toronto. Libeskind is currently working on several projects around the globe, including the reimagined Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, the site of the worst antisemitic attack in the U.S.
As principal design architect for Studio Libeskind, Libeskind speaks widely on architecture in universities and professional summits. Alongside winning numerous awards and having his work exhibited in major museums internationally, his architecture and ideas have been the subject of many articles and exhibitions, influencing the field of architecture and the development of cities and culture. His book, Edge of Order, detailing his creative process, was published in 2018.
Founded in 1889, The BAC is an internationally recognized institution of spatial design with a diverse student and alumni population from more than 54 countries. The BAC offers bachelor and graduate degrees in architecture, interior and landscape architecture, design studies, and offers continuing education certificates and courses.
“It is truly an honor to be invited as The Boston Architectural College’s commencement speaker and receive an honorary degree,” says Libeskind. “At this moment, starting a career in architecture offers both great challenges and opportunities to address environmental concerns, climate change, income inequality, and a variety of social issues that cannot be solved solely by technology. This will be an inspired generation of architects who can tackle these issues with the goal of making the world a better place to live.”
