The "Bene Merentibus" medal is one of the most important decorations in the world of Polish architecture, awarded for special contributions to the development of this field. Among the decorated are such figures as Prof. Ewa Kurylowicz, Prof. Joseph Rykwert and Rafal Dutkiewicz. This year, Prof. Romuald Loegler, founder of Architecture&Business, a long-time publisher, architect and university lecturer, has joined this group. Congratulations!
The "Bene Merentibus" medal was awarded during the SARP Honorary Award Gala, which took place on December 13, 2024, at the SARP Headquarters at 2 Foksal Street in Warsaw.
The content of the laudation delivered during the event read:
We are gathered here to honor an outstanding creator, visionary and master of architecture - Dr. Eng. arch. Romuald Maksymilian Loegler. The "Bene Merentibus" medal is the highest expression of recognition for contributions to Polish architecture, and the recipient fully reflects the spirit of this award with his extraordinary professional, artistic, teaching and scientific activities.
Romuald Loegler is a special figure in the history of modern architecture. His achievements include more than half a century of creative work that has influenced the architectural landscape both in Poland and abroad. Graduating from the Faculty of Architecture at the Cracow University of Technology in 1964, he began his long career path.
Already in the early stages of his career, through his work in design offices in Krakow, Helsinki and Vienna, he gained experience that allowed him to develop his own unique approach to design.
His work is impressively diverse, ranging from sacred buildings, housing estates and teaching buildings to works of exceptional symbolic character, such as the Funeral House "Gate to the City of the Dead" in the Batowice cemetery and the expansion of the Jagiellonian Library. He pays special attention to the artistic aspect, making architecture an art in the highest sense of the word.
Dr. Loegler's professional and artistic work has been recognized many times. Winner of the 1994 SARP Honorary Award, he has won numerous international awards, including German and Israeli, and has been nominated three times for the prestigious European Mies van der Rohe Award. These awards attest not only to the exceptional quality of his projects, but also to their importance in the international arena.
In addition to his design activities, Romuald Loegler played a key role in popularizing architecture in Poland. He initiated the establishment of the periodical "Architektura & Biznes", reactivated the magazine "Architekt" and chaired the Architecture Biennale in Krakow.
His commitment to promoting Polish architecture abroad contributed to building a positive image of our country in the world. Dr. Loegler was the organizer of the exhibition Polish Architectural Drawings in Berlin, as well as a solo exhibitor at exhibitions such as Dialog mit Zeit und Raum. Our laureate is the founder of the "Academy of Architecture" Foundation in Cracow.
At the same time, he conducted intensive teaching activities at Polish and foreign universities, being a mentor for many generations of young architects. He promoted more than fifty graduate students, taught at universities in Krakow, Warsaw, Bialystok, Lublin and Poznan, and gave lectures at prestigious academic centers in Europe. He was a co-founder of the Polish Council of Architecture.
Our laureate is also distinguished by his ability to uniquely combine art and engineering - his sketches and conceptual drawings are works of art that are an integral part of the creative process. His works have been presented in more than 45 exhibitions, including international events of great prestige, such as "Architectural Visions for Europe," which was a major undertaking with exhibitions in many European countries: Warsaw, Berlin, Vienna and Düsseldorf, where he appeared alongside such giants as Norman Foster and Dominique Perrault.
Dear Sirs, Romuald Loegler embodies the idea of an architect-artist, creator and thinker, whose work sets the highest standards for Polish and European architecture. His commitment, passion and talent have made him one of the most respected architects of our time.
The "Bene Merentibus" medal is an expression of gratitude for all his years of work and for the contribution he has made to our environment. I offer my sincere congratulations on behalf of the entire Association of Polish Architects, while thanking you for decades of inspiration and invaluable achievements.
Romuald, we thank you for your vision, for your art and for the fact that thanks to you Polish architecture has such a great ambassador in the world.
The editors of Architecture&Business would like to extend their special wishes to the winner of this year's award and wish you continued success in your career.
