[1] The new prize was launched in January 1998 with a ceremony held at the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London.
It was named after the English architect Dame Jane Drew (died 1996)[2] who, among other achievements, had tried to set up the first all-women architecture practice and had been the first female full Professor at Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
[1] Problems were encountered with the initial award, primarily in finding suitable candidates that met all three criteria.
A forum was held on 19 May 1998 where the four shortlisted candidates (client Jane Priestman, artist Martin Richman, landscape architect Kathryn Gustafson and architectural practice Fashion Architecture Taste) were asked to give a ten-minute presentation.
[1] The award was finally presented to Gustafson on 4 June after strong disagreements and near-resignations amongst the judging panel.