The combination of the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and the World's Fair in Seville further bolstered Spain's already strong architectural reputation
on the international stage, to the extent that many architects from countries suffering from recessions moved to Spain to assist in the boom. In recognition of Barcelona's patronage of architecture, the Royal Institute of British Architects awarded the Royal Gold Medal to Barcelona in 1999, the first time in its history the award was made to a city.