BOSTON— The Boston Architectural College (BAC) announced that internationally celebrated architect Benedetta Tagliabue will deliver the keynote address at its 2025 Commencement Ceremony on May 23. In recognition of her profound contributions to global architecture and design education, the College will also award her its highest honor—the Doctor of Design Honoris Causa.
Tagliabue, principal of Benedetta Tagliabue – EMBT Architects, is renowned for her poetic, site-sensitive work that merges innovation with cultural context. Her architectural legacy spans continents, with notable projects including the Scottish Parliament Building in Edinburgh, the Santa Caterina Market in Barcelona, and Utrecht City Hall in the Netherlands.
“Benedetta Tagliabue shows us that bold ideas take flight only when they touch down in the life of a community,” said BAC President Mahesh Daas. “Her work transforms local stories into global landmarks and proves that design excellence is a bridge, not a summit. That mirrors the BAC’s mission of access to excellence—inviting every student to fuse innovation with civic purpose.”
Following the passing of her partner and co-founder Enric Miralles in 2000, Tagliabue expanded the firm’s global reach. Today, EMBT operates studios in Barcelona, Shanghai, and Paris, with ongoing projects including metro stations in Paris and Naples, and the School of Management at Fudan University in Shanghai.
A dedicated design educator, Tagliabue has held appointments at institutions such as Yale, Harvard, Columbia, and the ETSAB in Barcelona. Her influence extends to the world’s most prestigious awards, having served on the juries of the Pritzker Architecture Prize and the RIBA Stirling Prize. Among her more than 100 accolades are the RIBA Stirling Prize, Spain’s National Architecture Award, and the Piranesi Prix de Rome.
“Design is not only about shaping space, but also about listening, observing, and building with care,” said Tagliabue. “I hope these new architects and designers go forward with curiosity, courage, and a deep respect for the world around them.”
Tagliabue’s presence at the BAC’s 2025 Commencement will mark a milestone for the graduating class—a diverse group of emerging designers who have demonstrated resilience, creativity, and a deep commitment to socially responsible architecture. Her keynote promises to inspire a new generation of architects to lead with empathy, creativity, and a sense of global purpose.
