2026 Druker Award Lecture: More Than a Building
The 2026 Druker Award Lecture, “More Than a Building,” features KPMB Architects founding partner Marianne McKenna and partner Paulo Rocha. Their presentation will examine how cities change over time, using Boston’s evolution and the design of Boston University’s Duan Family Center for Computing & Data Sciences as a case study. The speakers will discuss how collaboration and the design process can produce lasting social, environmental, and economic benefits, as well as the future of architecture in Boston.
The program includes the presentation of the 2026 Druker Award. The award recognizes a speaker or speakers whose work has made significant contributions to urban art, architecture, and design, and takes the form of a reproduction of the historic copper griffins on the roof of the Boston Public Library’s McKim Building.
When: Saturday, November 7, 2026
Showtimes: 2:00–3:30 p.m.
Venue: Central Library in Copley Square, Rabb Hall, Lower-Level, Boylston Building, 700 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116
Format: Attend in person or online through Zoom Webinar.
Registration: Registration is required for either in-person or online attendance.
Presenters: Marianne McKenna and Paulo Rocha of KPMB Architects
Marianne McKenna: McKenna is a founding partner of KPMB Architects, a 2025 RAIC Gold Medalist, and an Officer of the Order of Canada. Her work includes major cultural projects such as the Royal Conservatory of Music’s TELUS Centre for Performance and Learning and Koerner Hall, Toronto’s Massey Hall revitalization, Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis, and the Jenny Belzberg Theatre at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity. Her practice combines respect for historic architecture with contemporary updates that support new purposes, stronger performance, and wider public access. She is also an advocate for design excellence, sustainability, and community-building.
Paulo Rocha: Rocha has been a KPMB partner since joining the firm in 1995. His work spans cultural, academic, workplace, residential, and civic projects, with an emphasis on design, materials, craftsmanship, and technical execution. His portfolio includes the Governor General’s Medal-winning Remai Modern, the RIBA Award-winning renewal of the Gardiner Museum, the Rotman School of Management Expansion, and Boston University’s Duan Family Center for Computing & Data Sciences. He is currently leading projects for the Montreal Holocaust Museum and the Vancouver Art Gallery.
Ages: The event is categorized for all adults.
Tickets: Price not available
Accessibility: The library can arrange disability accommodations and language services. Requests should be directed to the Adult Programs Department at programs@bpl.org at least two weeks before the event.
Contact: Adult Programs Department, programs@bpl.org