Ferguson Jacobs Prize in Architecture

This prize is available in alternate years to students and faculty. The 2024 prize is open to all Carnegie Mellon Architecture faculty.

Carnegie Mellon Architecture will announce the call for applications for the next award cycle in the fall of 2024.

The Ferguson Jacobs Prize in Architecture has been established to promote the continuity of traditional architecture and building techniques in contemporary architectural practice. It encourages design excellence based on long-standing design principles that promote beauty and harmony in the built environment. Endowed by Mark Ferguson (A ’78) and Natalie Jacobs (A ’79), this prize is available in alternate years to Carnegie Mellon Architecture students and faculty. The prize supports projects and travel experiences that explore traditional architecture and building techniques as vital knowledge to an architect’s education, practice and scholarship. The prize can also support individual apprenticeships and internships with a focus on traditional architecture and/or building techniques.

To be considered for the Ferguson Jacobs Prize in Architecture, applicants must submit a complete application that includes the following information:

• One-page proposal that clearly explains the project, travel or internship, including purpose, objectives, methods and/or materials. Applicants are encouraged to consider the following questions when preparing their proposals:
  • What is the purpose of the project, travel or internship and why is it important?
  • Does this project, travel or internship relate to prior research or projects?
  • How would the project, travel or internship impact the applicant’s future?
  • What are the sources of inspiration for this proposal?
  • What is envisioned for the final outcome of the project, travel or internship?
• One-page plan detailing budget and schedule information.

Fall 2023 Jury: Joshua Lee (Chair), Doug Cooper, Jackie McFarland, Francesca Torello

Fall 2023 Award Amount: $6,500 (one (1) available)

The Ferguson Jacobs Prize in Architecture is open to all students and faculty. This prize is available in alternate years to students and faculty. The 2024 prize is open to all Carnegie Mellon Architecture faculty.

Carnegie Mellon Architecture will announce the call for applications for the next award cycle in the fall of 2024.

• 2023: Natalie Waldram (B.Arch ‘23 (fall)), Title: Rituals of Reconstruction, Maintenance and Repair of Traditional Japanese Wooden Architecture
• 2022 (fall): Sarosh Anklesaria & Vicki Achnani (faculty), Title: Classical Monoliths: Formal and Ecological Translations in South Asian Architecture 
• 2022 (spring): not awarded
• 2021: not awarded
• 2020: Keon Ho (Hugh) Lee (B.Arch '20) & Kornrat Euchukanonchai (B.Arch '20), Title: From Tradition to Innovation: Sigurd Lewerentz‘s Material Language
• 2019: Joshua Bard & Francesca Torello (faculty), Advanced Synthesis Options Studio Low-Relief: The Virtual and Material Cultures of Architectural Deceit 
• 2018: ASO Studio Students, Advanced Synthesis Options Studio Palladio: Institute + Archive 
• 2017: Matt Huber (faculty), Title: Type Specimen
• 2016: Carter Nelson (B.Arch '17)
• 2015: Francesa Torello (faculty), Title: Hall of Architecture of Carnegie Museum of Art Plaster Casts 
• 2014: Carter Nelson (B.Arch '17), Title: Study of Norwegian Stavkyrke (Stave) Churches
• 2013: Joshua Bard (faculty), Title: Plaster Cast: Reanimating Historical Architectural Pedagogy Using Contemporary Digital Tools
• 2012: Tobie "Rain" Chan Kalin (B.Arch '15), Title: Study of Andrew Carnegie Libraries in Scotland, Ireland & England
• 2011: Charles Rosenblum (faculty) 
• 2010: Joseph Koon (B.Arch '12)
• 2009: Pablo Garcia (faculty)
• 2008: Anne Riggs (B.Arch '09), Title: Travel to Greece and Turkey to investigate hybrid architecture resulting from cultural conflict and cross-fertilization of the region 
• 2007: Diane Shaw (faculty)