BOSTON, MA – October 8, 2026 – The Boston Public Library (BPL) is pleased to announce architecture firm KPMB as the 2026 recipient of the Druker Award Celebrating Design and Architecture. The Druker Award is presented annually to a leader who has made outstanding and important contributions to the world of design; each award recipient shares insights on the world of architecture and design at a corresponding lecture. This year's milestone lecture marks the 25th anniversary of the Druker Award and the 125th anniversary of The Druker Company, LTD. Past recipients of the Druker Award include Maya Lin, Moshe Safdie, and William Rawn, among other leaders in design and architecture.
The event, Can Architecture Change a City?, will take place at the Central Library on November 7, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. in Rabb Lecture Hall on the lower level of the Boylston Street Building. It is free and open to the public.
KPMB's work in Boston is anchored by Boston University's Duan Family Center for Computing & Data Sciences, one of the largest fossil fuel-free buildings in the Boston area, reflecting the firm's commitment to design that is both ambitious and responsible. Opened in December 2022 and commonly known as "The Jenga Building" for its stacked, cantilevered form, the center has become an iconic presence on campus and a hub for collaboration among students and faculty, housing the university's data science, computer science, and mathematical and statistical departments.
Founded in 1987, KPMB is an internationally recognized architecture practice whose work has earned more than 400 awards, including 18 Governor General's Medals, Canada's highest design honor. The firm's founding partners have each received the Order of Canada and the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) Gold Medal for their contributions to architecture and the built environment.
KPMB’s' Marianne McKenna and Paulo Rocha will accept this year’s award on behalf of the firm. Marianne McKenna, a founding partner of KPMB Architects, is the 2025 RAIC Gold Medalist and an Officer of the Order of Canada, recognized internationally for design that balances architectural legacy with contemporary vision across major cultural landmarks. Paulo Rocha, a partner at the firm since 1995, has led the design of many of KPMB's most recognized cultural and civic projects, bringing technical precision and design leadership to work that shapes communities.
"It is an honor to present KPMB with the 2026 Druker Award," said BPL President David Leonard. "Their rigorous, collaborative approach to architecture, one that consistently rises to meet the pressing challenges of our time, shows how design can shape not just skylines, but the everyday experience of a city. The BPL is proud to celebrate their work and its lasting impact on our community."
During the event, McKenna and Rocha will join BPL President David Leonard in conversation to explore how cities are continually reshaped, examining Boston's evolution and the story behind the Duan Family Center for Computing & Data Sciences. Through the lens of this landmark project, they'll consider how design process and partnership can create lasting social, environmental, and economic impact. They'll also look ahead to the future of architecture in Boston. The event will feature opening remarks by Ronald M. Druker, President of The Druker Company, LTD, and will conclude with an audience Q&A.
"Celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Druker Award alongside the 125th anniversary of The Druker Company makes this year's recognition especially meaningful," said Ronald M. Druker, President and CEO of The Druker Company, LTD. "KPMB's contributions to architecture perfectly reflect the spirit of this award. Their work blends rigor, craft, and a deep understanding of place, bringing thoughtful design to projects that shape communities for generations. We are honored to recognize their remarkable achievements."
To register for the Druker Award & Lecture, visit: https://bpl.bibliocommons.com/events/6aa1b8937825b40064063ed4.
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ABOUT THE BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY
Established in 1848, the Boston Public Library is a pioneer of public library service in America. It was the first large, free municipal library in the United States; the first public library to lend books; the first to have a branch library; and the first to have a children's room.
The Boston Public Library of today is a robust system that includes the Central Library in Copley Square, 25 neighborhood branches, the Norman B. Leventhal Map and Education Center, the Kirstein Business and Innovation Center, and an archival center, offering public access to world-class special collections of rare books, manuscripts, photographs, and prints, along with rich digital content and online services.
The Boston Public Library serves nearly 4 million visitors per year and millions more online. All of its programs and exhibitions are free to all and open to the public. The Boston Public Library is a department of the City of Boston, under the leadership of Mayor Michelle Wu. To learn more, visit bpl.org.
ABOUT KPMB
Established in 1987, KPMB is an internationally recognized architectural practice working across building design, interior design, master planning, workplace strategy, public engagement, and sustainable design. Based in Toronto, Ontario and Cambridge, Massachusetts, the practice has designed and delivered projects totalling more than 31 million square feet in a broad range of sectors, including education, healthcare, scientific research, arts and culture, government, corporate, hospitality, recreation, and mixed-use development. KPMB’s work has been recognized with more than 400 awards, including 18 Governor General’s Medals, Canada’s highest architectural honour.