John Patkau
Founding Principal
Patkau Architects

John Patkau, in conjunction with Patricia Patkau, founded Patkau Architects in 1978. His contributions to the practice of architecture have been recognized by numerous awards including the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada Gold Medal for lifetime achievement and Membership in the Order of Canada for significant contribution to Canadian culture. Internationally, he has also been made an Honorary Fellow of the American Institute of Architects and an International Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects.

He has been a visiting professor at a number of universities including Norman Foster and Eero Saarinen Visiting Professor at Yale University (in 2011-2014 and 2009, respectively), Eliot Noyes Professor of Architecture at Harvard University (1995) and Raymond E. Moritz Distinguished Visiting Professor at Washington University (1998).

He participated in symposia including the Hay Festival in Segovia, Spain, Sustenta America in Santiago Chile, the 7th International Alvar Aalto Symposium in Jyvaskla, Finland, the New Zealand Institute of Architects National Conference in Auckland, and the Royal Architectural Institute of Scotland National Conference in Edinburgh. He has also lectured widely at numerous institutions including Harvard University, Yale University, University College Dublin, Manchester Master Series, the University of California at Los Angeles, Architecture League of New York, Colegio de Arquitectos de Catalunya, Architectural Association, London, and Royal Institute of British Architects.

Patkau Architects has received significant national and international awards, including nineteen Governor General’s Medals, four Progressive Architecture Awards, sixteen Canadian Architect Awards of Excellence, two RAIC Innovation in Architecture Awards, three Mies Crown Hall Americas Prize for Outstanding Projects, three RIBA International Awards for Excellence, three AIA/ALA Library Building Awards and four AIA Honor Awards.