two hands holding a tablet displaying an augmented reality program

Professors Francesca Torello and Joshua Bard developed the augmented reality app Plaster ReCast for the Carnegie Museum of Art’s Hall of Architecture. The app puts museum visitors in touch with architectural history. Credit: Carnegie Mellon Architecture

The Ferguson Jacobs Prize in Architecture was established to promote the continuity of traditional architecture and building techniques in contemporary architectural practice.

This prize is available in alternate years to students and faculty. The 2024 prize is open to all current Carnegie Mellon Architecture faculty who have at least one year left with the school after this academic year. The 2025 prize is open to all students.

Carnegie Mellon Architecture will announce the call for applications for the next award cycle in the fall of 2025.

Mission

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), 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. For students, the prize can also support individual apprenticeships and internships with a focus on traditional architecture and/or building techniques.

This prize is available in alternate years to Carnegie Mellon Architecture students and faculty.

Evaluation Criteria

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 2024 Jury: Kai Gutschow (Chair), Neal Lucas Hitch, Matthew Huber, Maryam Karimi

Fall 2024 Award Amount: $6,500 (two (2) available)

Eligibility & Schedule

The 2024 Ferguson Jacobs Prize in Architecture is open to all current Carnegie Mellon Architecture faculty who have at least one year left with the school after this academic year. The awarded funds must be used within two (2) years of the award date.

Carnegie Mellon Architecture will announce the call for applications for the next award cycle in the fall of 2025.

Award Recipients

  • 2024: Vicky Achnani, Associate Studio Professor; Proposal: Carbon and Craft_Joints of Circular Design: Design for Disassembly in the Construction Techniques of Traditional Japanese Architecture
    Laura Garófalo, Associate Professor; Proposal: Exploring the Manufacturing and Construction Traditions of Architectural Ceramics in China
  • 2023: Natalie Waldram (B.Arch ‘23 (fall)), Title: Rituals of Reconstruction, Maintenance and Repair of Traditional Japanese Wooden Architecture
  • 2022 (fall): Sarosh Anklesaria & Vicky 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)