Awards
Celebrations of the Work

Our program and faculty have garnered national and international recognition including awards for both design and teaching. Among these are awards from the American Academy of Arts & Letters, the American Institute of Architects, the National Council of Architecture Registration Board, the International Interior Design Association, the World Architecture Foundation, and, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.

  • 2023

    Thomas Jefferson Foundation Medalist in Architecture

    University of Virginia and Thomas Jefferson Foundation | Monticello, VA | Andrew Freear and Rural Studio

  • 2022

    National Design Award, Architecture / Interior Design

    Cooper Hewitt | New York City, NY

  • 2021

    National Academician

    National Academy of Design | New York City, NY | Andrew Freear

  • 2020

    President's Medal

    The Architectural League of New York | New York City, NY | Andrew Freear

  • 2016

    Architecture Award

    American Academy Of Arts & Letters | New York City, NY | Andrew Freear

  • 2015

    The American Institute Of Architects Presidential Citation

    The American Institute Of Architects (AIA) | Washington, DC | Rural Studio

    Whitney M. Young Jr. Award

    The American Institute Of Architects (AIA) | Washington, DC | Andrew Freear, Rural Studio

    Spirit Of Sustainability Award

    Auburn University | Auburn, AL | Rural Studio

  • 2014

    30 Most Admired Educators

    Design Intelligence | Andrew Freear

    Innovation By Design Finalist, Social Good Category

    Fast Company | New York, NY | 20k House Project

    Building Of The Year, Category Public Architecture

    Archdaily.com | Newbern Town Hall

  • 2013

    Building Of The Year, Third Place

    American-Architects.com | Safe House Museum

  • 2012

    Gerald And Emily Leischuck Endowed Presidential Award For Excellence In Teaching

    Auburn University | Auburn, AL | Andrew Freear

  • 2011

    The Most Creative Teachers In The South

    Oxford American | Andrew Freear

  • 2010

    Significant Building Award

    Alabama Architecture Foundation | Birmingham, AL | Newbern Fire Station

  • 2008

    Honorable Mention, Civic Category

    World Architecture Foundation | Barcelona, Spain | Andrew Freear, Connelly Farr, Julieta Collart, Lana Farkas, Jeffrey Bazzell | Hale County Animal Shelter

    Global Award For Sustainable Architecture

    Cite De L' Architecture Et Du Patrimoine | Paris, France | Rural Studio, Andrew Freear

  • 2007

    Award For Sustainability And Humanity In The Built Environment, Research & Initiative Category, Honorable Mention

    Zumbotel Award For Architecture | Berlin, Germany | Rural Studio, Andrew Freear

    Appreciation Award

    Greensboro Lions Club | Greensboro, AL | Andrew Freear

    
presidential Award For Excellence

    Auburn University | Auburn, AL | Andrew Freear

  • 2006

    Ralph Erskine Award For Architecture

    Swedish Association Of Architects | Stockholm, Sweden | Andrew Freear

    Educator Of Distinction Award

    American Society Of Interior Designers (ASID) | Nashville, TN | Andrew Freear

    Distinguished Service To Rural Life

    Rural Sociological Society (RSS) | Andrew Freear

  • 2005

    Emerging Architects Commendation Award

    The Architectural Review & The Royal Institute Of British Architects (RIBA) | London, UK | Andrew Freear, Jennifer Bonner, Mary Beth Maness, Anthony Tindell, Nathan Orrison | Perry Lakes Park Pavilion

    Archiprix International Design Competition Honorable Mention

    Archiprix International | Andrew Freear, Sara Singleton, Charlie Jorgenson, Matthew Edwards, Lynielle Houston | Perry Lakes Park Bridge

  • 2004

    Sustainable Design Award, Special Recognition For Material Use

    Aia Chicago | Chicago, IL | Andrew Freear, Xavier Vendrell, Jennifer Bonner | Rural Studio Exhibit 'Soto Minims'

    Interior Architecture Award, Certificate Of Merit

    Aia Chicago | Chicago, IL | Andrew Freear, Xavier Vendrell, Jennifer Bonner | Rural Studio Exhibit 'Soto Minims'

    Gold Medal Award, Pioneer In Housing

    The American Institute Of Architects | Washington, DC | Samuel Mockbee (posthumous)

    Small Project Award, 1st Prize

    The Architects Journal Magazine | London, UK | Lucy Begg | Ola Mae's Porch

    Architecture And Interior Design Award Finalist

    Foment De Las Arts Decorativas | Barcelona, Spain | Andrew Freear, Xavier Vendrell, Jennifer Bonner

  • 2002

    Creative Excellence Award

    International Interior Design Association | Neocon World Trades Fair | Chicago, IL | Rural Studio | Andrew Freear

    Creative Integration Of Practice And Education In The Academy

    National Council Of Architecture Registration Board (NCARB) | Boston, MA | DK Ruth

    
annual Design Review Environmental Award

    Id Magazine | Rural Studio

    Community Supporter Of The Year

    Hale County Farm-City Committee | Hale County, AL | Rural Studio, Andrew Freear

  • 2001

    Use Your Life Award

    Oprah's Angel Network | Chicago, IL | Samuel Mockbee

    Archiprix International Design Competition Honorable Mention

    Archiprix International | Delft, The Netherlands | Rural Studio: Andrew Freear, Samuel Mockbee, Corrugated Construction Pod Thesis Team: Gabe Comestock, Andy Olds, Amy Holtz

  • 2000

    Macarthur Genius Award

    John D. And Catherine T. Macarthur Foundation | Samuel Mockbee

  • 1995

    The Education Honors Program

    The American Institute Of Architects | Washington, DC |  Rural Studio, Samuel Mockbee

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