In recognition of his 2024 Jefferson Medal, the EUmies Awards invited Andrew Freear, Rural Studio Director, to give a lecture at the iconic Mies van der Rohe Pavilion in Barcelona, Spain. The pavilion was originally designed in 1929 by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, winner of the first Jefferson Medal in architecture, and Lilly Reich.
The event is part of a collaborative initiative between the EUmies Awards, sponsor of the European Union’s architecture awards, and the University of Virginia, which presents the prestigious Jefferson Medal in architecture. Earlier in the year, Gustav Düsing, EUmies Award winner, spoke at the University of Virginia School of Architecture. By facilitating this exchange of ideas and bringing together two culturally significant organizations, the initiative aims to inspire future generations of architects and promote a shared vision of innovative, sustainable architecture.
Freear’s lecture highlighted Rural Studio’s educational mission—to promote equitable, sustainable, and beautiful design that serves rural communities—by showcasing many student projects. He chronicled the evolution of students’ home design, from early 20K Project houses that developed ways to lower the cost of housing to more recent student work that accommodates rural families as they evolve and change.
An ongoing theme of the lecture was the unique context of rural living in the American South. Faculty, students, and staff at Rural Studio are constantly exploring ways to improve rural communities. Freear ended the lecture by surveying some of this work, such as the Front Porch Initiative, a partnership with Fannie Mae and regional housing partners to expand housing access in the South using Rural Studio home designs. He explained local initiatives as well, including municipal and recreational projects, research projects about the thermal properties of wood, and the Rural Studio Farm, which produces organic, healthy produce.
Freear was honored to be a part of this important architectural conversation and to champion the rural to an audience who might not know about Southern history and culture. During his time in Barcelona, Freear emphasized lessons learned from rural life in West Alabama, including its many historical buildings. Reflecting on the event, he was grateful to have had the opportunity: “Existing southern vernacular agricultural architecture teaches us about good home design, including high ceilings, porches, good cross-ventilation, narrow floor plans, and stairs as ventilation strategies. Our students turn these pieces into accessible, economical, and energy-efficient homes that serve our neighbors’ families.” Freear brought this message from little Hale County to the larger European architectural community. He never dreamed that he would stand in a place like the Mies Pavilion to share what he’s learned in rural West Alabama.