Carlos Ferrater is one of the 23 individuals who have been awarded with the Gold Medal for Merit in Fine Arts granted by the Government of Spain on 20 December 2019. The awards, nominated by the former Minister of Culture, José Guirao, recognise more than 20 people who have distinguished themselves in the field of artistic and cultural creation, according to a statement issued by the Ministry. They also acknowledge individuals who have "provided valuable services to promotion of art and culture or to conservation of artistic heritage". 

Other award winners include the Professor of Prehistory of the Universidad Complutense de Madrid, María Ángeles Querol, the chef Martín Berasategui, the singer Patti Smith, the actor Rossy de Palma and the photographers Chema Madoz and Alberto García-Alix.

Carlos Ferrater studied and received his doctorate from the Barcelona School of Architecture and is currently professor of Projects at the Escola Tècnica Superior d'Arquitectura de Barcelona. He is founder of the architectural firm OAB together with Xavier Martí Gali and his children Borja and Lucía Ferrater. His work includes the Hotel Fairmont Rey Juan Carlos I, the Barcelona Botanical Garden and the Benidorm seafront promenade. He holds an honoris causa doctorate from the University of Trieste and in 2009 won the Spanish National Architecture Award. He has cooperated with the UIC Barcelona School of Architecture Vertical Workshop and is currently a member of the Advisory Board of UIC Barcelona.