10 unique birdhouses by the world’s leading architects were auctioned at a star-studded event at Christie’s London last week to raise vital funds to improve treatment for brain cancer, the biggest cancer killer of children and adults under 40. The auction raised £407,000 both from bidders in the room and on phone lines across the world.
Architects for the Birds was an idea conceived by architect Lord Foster of Thames Bank O.M. and philanthropist Marie Donnelly for the Tessa Jowell Foundation in which leading architects designed birdhouses to raise funds for brain cancer treatment and care. Responding to an open brief, each architect designed and delivered an original design that is globally unique.
Foster invited nine other leading architecture firms to participate alongside him: David Chipperfield, Frida Escobedo, Sou Fujimoto, Grafton Architects, Lina Ghotmeh, Jacques Herzog, Farshid Moussavi, Renzo Piano, and Kazuyo Sejima.
Lord Foster of Thames Bank O.M. said:
“Aside from bringing some joy and delight into our lives, bird life connects us to nature, which is good for our wellbeing. It is also a reminder of the important role that birds play as part of our ecosystem. Being predators, they eat pests to protect us from the spread of diseases, as pollinators, they underpin our food chain, and as seed spreaders, they increase biodiversity. The bird feeder is part of that story, and as a marriage of function and aesthetics, it offers a unique design opportunity for all of us who have rallied to the charitable cause of addressing brain cancer.”
Jess Mills, CEO, Tessa Jowell Foundation, said:
“It was the greatest privilege to have had the opportunity to work on this extraordinary project with Lord Foster of Thames Bank O.M. and the world’s great architects over this past year. We were blown away by the enthusiasm and commitment of the architects who took part, which is a tribute to the huge legacy my mother has in the arts and culture world, as longest serving Secretary of State for Culture in the UK. All the funds raised will go to support our mission to transform treatment and care for brain cancer patients across the UK – brain cancer is the biggest cancer killer of children and people under 40, and of course is the cancer that Mum died from, so this is very personal, and urgent work.”
Marie Donnelly, Philanthropist, said:
“The gathering of very needy funds from the sale of these unique birdhouses came from ten extremely talented architects giving freely of their time, energy and creativity and we have to applaud their monumental generosity but we must single out Lord Foster who assisted in the gathering with such grace and attention. Christie’s made the auction happen in the greatest style. The Tessa Jowell Foundation will ensure the money is spent wisely. Thank you to everyone who helped.”
Giovanna Bertazzoni, Chairman Europe, Christie’s, said:
“We were honoured to host ‘Architects for the Birds’ at Christie’s – a project that unites creativity, care, and a shared sense of purpose. Each piece – generously conceived by one of today’s foremost figures in contemporary architecture – offers a unique and moving interpretation of what it means to create care through architecture. It is a unique privilege to collaborate with the Tessa Jowell Foundation, Lord Foster of Thames Bank O.M. and the outstanding team of architects who answered his call. We are proud to help raise awareness for the Foundation’s transformative efforts to improve brain cancer care across the NHS.”
About
The Tessa Jowell Foundation was founded to honour the legacy of the late Baroness Tessa Jowell, whose life’s work was devoted to improving lives through more compassionate, inclusive and equitable systems in public health.
Today, the foundation plays a leading role in shaping bold, strategic initiatives, delivered in collaboration with partners to advance the innovation of brain cancer treatment and care. Through fundraising, advocacy and collaboration, the Foundation unites partners across the NHS, government, academia and civil society to drive systemic improvements in health. The foundation’s mission is to create a world where the best cancer research, treatment and care are available to all. @tessajowellfoundation
