Transatlantic Dialogues. EUmies Awards ↔Thomas Jefferson Medal.
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.
Gustav Düsing studied architecture at the University of Stuttgart and the Architectural Association in London and is a registered architect in Berlin. He has participated in numerous art and architecture exhibitions, including the first-ever Antarctic Biennale (2017). His work has been recognized with several prestigious awards, including the 2023 German Architecture Prize (state prize), the 2024 DAM Award, and the 2020 Rome Prize for Architecture. In 2020/21, he was an Artist-in-Residence at the German Academy in Rome, Villa Massimo. Alongside Max Hacke, Gustav Düsing is the 2024 recipient of the EUmies Awards.
In his Berlin studio, the team is constantly exploring, experimenting, and tinkering with space, materials, and structures to discover new ways architecture can respond to current environmental and socio-political challenges.
Since 2015 he has taught at different Universities including TU Braunschweig, Roma Tre and Cornell APP. In 2024 he was appointed Guest Professor at the UdK Berlin.
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.
Event
Monday, February 17, 2025 at 5:00pm ET
University of Virginia School of Architecture
Charlottesville, VA, United States of America
Event
Tuesday, March 11, 2025 at 18:30 CET
Pavelló Mies van der Rohe
Barcelona, CAT, Europe
Manuel Bailo introduced the collaboration, followed by Ivan Blasi who presented the EUmies Awards and Gustav Düsing who shared his work to an audience of approximately 75 students and professors.
Anna Ramos welcomed the audience, followed by Manuel Bailo and Andrew Freear who presented the work of Rural Studio. Afterwards, he and Anatxu Zabalbeascoa, journalist, engaged in a lively conversation.
