Architecture has played a fundamental and critical role at the BSR since its foundation in 1901; studied both as a scholarly and practical subject, its scope is now understood to include all aspects of the design of the physical environment and its preservation. Rome is a place where the modern encounters the old, thus the ideal realm for practising architects and architectural historians alike.

Residencies
Residencies at the BSR offer access to Rome and Italy as an exceptional repertory of cultural heritage and provide award-holders with a route into the intellectual heart of the Eternal City. Unique to the experience is the closely­ knit engagement with a variety of artistic disciplines within the BSR, as well as with researchers in, for example, archaeology, art history, classics, history and modern Italian culture.

Past award-holders
Architects who have been at the BSR include Robert Adam, Rashid Ali, Bob Allies, Will Alsop, David Bass, Alison Crawshaw, David Dernie, Suzanne Hall, Cathy Hawley, Selina Mason, Carolyn Steel, Robert Tavernor, Mark Wilson Jones and, most recently, Tao Du Four, Edward Simpson, Adam Nathaniel Furman, Morgan Gostwyck-Lewis, Joseph Redpath, Blazej Czuba and Yun Fu.