The Richard H. Driehaus Prize is awarded to a living architect whose work embodies the principles of traditional and classical architecture and urbanism in contemporary society, and creates a positive, long-lasting cultural, environmental and artistic impact. It is presented annually by the University of Notre Dame School of Architecture. The Henry Hope Reed Award is given in conjunction with the Driehaus Prize to an individual working outside the practice of architecture who has supported the cultivation of the traditional city, its architecture and art through writing, planning or promotion.
In 2003, Richard H. Driehaus, the founder and chairman of Driehaus Capital Management in Chicago, established the award program through Notre Dame because of its reputation as a national leader in incorporating the ideals of traditional and classical architecture into the task of modern urban development.
ABOUT ABDEL-WAHED EL-WAKIL
Abdel-Wahed El-Wakil studied architecture at Ain-Shams University in Cairo, Egypt and served as a professor of architecture at the university for five years. His work has been influenced strongly by his subsequent training and studies with Hassan Fathy, a leading advocate for indigenous Islamic architecture. Abdel-Wahed El-Wakil went into private practice in 1971 and has built widely throughout the Islamic world. His built works include:
(A gallery may be found at http://architecture.nd.edu/news_and_events/el-wakil_page_one.shtml)
- in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia – Abraj Mosque, Al-Suleiman Palace, Azizeyah Mosque, Corniche Mosque, Datsun Complex, Harithy Mosque, Island Mosque, Jufalli Mosque, Kandil House, King Saud Mosque, Ruwais Mosque, Sulaiman Mosque;
- in Medina, Saudi Arabia – Miqaat Al-Madinah Mosque Complex, Qiblaitain Mosque, Qubbah Mosque;
- in Mecca, Saudi Arabia – Hafayer Mosque;
- in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – Maydani Mosque;
- in Agamy, Egypt – Halawa House;
- in Giza, Egypt – Hamdy Residence and Chourbagy House;
- in Bahrain- Yateem Mosque;
- in Johannesburg, South Africa – Kerk Street Mosque, Houghton Mosque;
- in Oxford, UK – Oxford University Centre of Islamic Studies; and
- in Miami, USA – Thomas Kramer mansion.
El-Wakil recently designed a boutique hotel in Gouna, Red Sea, Egypt and mixed-use residential quarter with the Solidere International Project in Cairo.
In 1980, he was given the Aga Khan Award for Contemporary Use of Traditional Language for the Halawa House in Agamy, Egypt. He received the award again in 1989 for the Corniche Mosque in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. In 1985, El-Wakil received the King Fahd Award for Research in Islamic Architecture and in 1986, he was named an honorary fellow of the American Institute of Architects. In 1989, he was accorded the title of Professor of the International Academy of Architecture in recognition of his great achievements in the development of contemporary architecture. In 1999, El-Wakil was honored in Riyadh at the International Congress for Mosque Architecture with the First Prize for the Design in Contemporary Mosque Architecture. El-Wakil has also served on numerous architectural juries and in advisory positions. Among other positions, he is a member of the Board of Trustees of the International Heritage Trust, a member of the Academic Board of the Prince of Wales School of Architecture, and an advisor to UNESCO for the development of a village to relocate the Bdul tribe in Petra, Jordan.
RICHARD H. DRIEHAUS
Richard H. Driehaus, a lifelong Chicago resident, has enjoyed business success earning a reputation within the investment management industry as an accomplished investor. In addition to his career, he has also focused his attention and energy on a variety of philanthropic and community-service oriented projects, individually and through the efforts of The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation.
Many of Mr. Driehaus’ charitable endeavors have been devoted to DePaul University where he received his B.S.C. degree in 1965 and an M.B.A. in 1970. He has endowed DePaul’s The Richard H. Driehaus Center for International Business Studies and The Richard H. Driehaus Center in Behavioral Finance. Mr. Driehaus has also provided scholarships to full-time M.B.A. candidates both at DePaul’s Chicago campus and the affiliated business program in Prague, Czech Republic.
Having a strong commitment to historic preservation and design excellence, Mr. Driehaus’ efforts have included the restoration of the Ransom Cable House in Chicago and the award-winning restoration of a 1905 Georgian Revival style country house in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. He has also made major contributions for the restoration of Old St. Patrick’s Church and St. Ignatius High School in Chicago. Mr. Driehaus is involved in the activities of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, The Landmark Preservation Council of Illinois, the Wisconsin Trust for Historic Preservation and several preservation organizations in the U.S. Virgin Islands. He has also been involved in the preservation and restoration of historic homes in the Bronzeville and Prairie Avenue Districts of Chicago, as well as a variety of religious-oriented restoration projects.
Mr. Driehaus has promoted design excellence through his sponsorship of a design competition for a campus center building at Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) and his funding of Herman Driehaus scholarships at IIT. He sponsored the Millennium Gate Foundation design charrette that resulted in the conceptual design of this monumental entry at Washington’s Barney Circle, and has also sponsored design competitions to produce designs for Chicago Public Schools and non-profit public housing. Mr. Driehaus also supports design programs at the University of Illinois at Chicago’s College of Architecture and the Arts. In addition, the Richard H. Driehaus Museum at Navy Pier in Chicago features a display of important Tiffany stained glass pieces from Mr. Driehaus’ personal collection. Most recently, Mr. Driehaus announced the acquisition of the famous Nickerson Mansion in Chicago which will be restored and renovated to house various pieces of fine art and collectibles from Mr. Driehaus’ private collection.
THE JURY
In addition to Richard H. Driehaus, the selection committee of leading architects and educators includes: Michael Lykoudis (Francis and Kathleen Rooney Dean of the University of Notre Dame School of Architecture), Paul Goldberger (Architecture Critic for “The New Yorker”), David M. Schwarz (President and CEO of David M. Schwarz Architects), Adele Chatfield-Taylor (President of the American Academy in Rome); Robert Davis (Principal at Arcadia Land Company and Founder of Seaside, Florida); and Léon Krier (architect, scholar and the inaugural Driehaus Prize Recipient).
THE CHOREGIC MONUMENT OF LYSIKRATES
The Choregic Monument of Lysikrates in Athens is best known as the first use of the Corinthian Order on the outside of a building. This exquisite monument is minor in size but has served as an expression of Corinthian elegance in exterior and interior applications throughout the United States and Europe. The monument, one of the most delightful remains of Hellenistic antiquity, was initially built as a monumental base to support a now-lost bronze tripod won by a young man as the trophy for a musical competition in 334 B.C. His proud parents exalted this victory by constructing a blue-marble structure from Mount Hymetos not only to raise the bronze tripod on a pedestal, but to create a lasting architectural icon. The square base supports a cylindrical tower surrounded by six columns of white marble from Mount Penteli, the same marble used in the Parthenon. The number of columns is divided in half to culminate in a three-pronged finial covered with intertwining acanthus leaves and stalks that provided the rests for the tripod.