Jeanne Gang was announced today as one of 22 new MacArthur Fellows of 2011 and the recipient of a $500,000 Genius Grant to be released in instalments over the next five years. This year’s Fellows have been sourced from a wide range of industries, and include a radio producer, technologist, long-form journalist, evolutionary geneticist and poet. None of the Grant recipients will be required to submit reports and there are no stipulations as to how the money should be used.

Best known for her Aqua skyscraper in Chicago Jeanne Gang (of Studio Gang Architects) has continued to show a profound interest in the specific site geography, social and environmental context, and purpose of each project - a determining factor in her recent success. The Foundation also noted ‘Gang’s mastery of the balance between novelty and urban practicality’ and ‘imaginative fusion of found material, engineering and structural economy’ as key elements in their decision.

Robert Gallucci, President of the MacArthur Foundation, commented: “This has been a year of great change and extraordinary challenge, and we are once again reminded of the potential individuals have to make a difference in the world and shape our future. The MacArthur Fellows exemplify how individual creativity and talent can spark new insights and ideas in every imaginable field of human endeavour.”

Source: http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com