Andrew Freear / Rural Studio - EUmies Awards Talks

Andrew Freear / Rural Studio. Thomas Jefferson Medal in Architecture - EUmies Awards Talks.

Ludwig Mies van der Rohe was the first recipient of the Thomas Jefferson Medal in Architecture in 1966. His legacy, rooted in both American and European architectural history, serves as a symbolic bridge for this partnership, highlighting the shared values of innovation and design excellence that underpin both awards.

This collaboration between the EUmies Awards organized by Fundació Mies van der Rohe with the support of Creative Europe (European Commission) and the Thomas Jefferson Medal in Architecture of the University of Virginia, aims to foster a transatlantic dialogue to enhance the global recognition of architecture’s role in addressing social and environmental responsibilities. It will emphasize key themes such as design and construction, placemaking and community, creativity and innovation, cultural exchange and education, as well as service and civic engagement.

As a key component of this collaboration, the winners of each prize will be invited to share their experiences and insights through a series of lectures and discussions held at the University of Virginia School of Architecture – set in the UNESCO World Heritage Academical Village – and the iconic Barcelona Pavilion originally designed in 1929 by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Lilly Reich. These events will provide a unique opportunity for the laureates to engage with academic and professional communities, as well as the public, offering deeper insights into their design philosophies and the impact of their work. By facilitating this exchange of ideas in two culturally and historically significant venues, the initiative aims to inspire future generations of architects and promote a shared vision of innovative, sustainable architecture on a global scale.

For more than two decades, Andrew Freear has lived in rural Newbern, Alabama, a town with a population of 187, where he runs a program that questions the conventional education and role of architects. His students have designed and built more than 220 community buildings, homes, and parks in their under-resourced community. He is a teacher, designer, builder, advocate, and liaison between local authorities, community partners, and students.

Freear’s work has been published extensively, and he regularly lectures around the world. He has designed and built exhibits at London’s Victoria & Albert Museum, the Whitney Biennial, and the Museum of Modern Art in NYC, as well as the Milan Triennale and the Venice Biennale.

His honors include the Ralph Erskine Award, the Global Award for Sustainable Architecture, and the Architecture Award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters. Freear was a 2018 Loeb Fellow at Harvard University and in 2020 received the President’s Medal from the Architectural League of New York, the League’s highest honor. In 2021, he was inducted as a National Academician into the National Academy of Design and this Fall 2022, Rural Studio received the National Design Award in Architecture / Interior Design from Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum.