John Simpson awarded 2026 Richard H. Driehaus Prize

British architect John Simpson has been named the 2026 recipient of the Richard H. Driehaus Prize, awarded by the University of Notre Dame to recognize significant contributions to traditional architecture and urbanism. Simpson will formally receive the prize on March 21, during a ceremony at Murphy Auditorium in Chicago. The $200,000 Driehaus Prize is the largest cash award given in architecture worldwide. 

Simpson first gained international attention in 1990 through his entry in the Paternoster Square development competition in London, where he advanced principles of New Traditional Architecture and Urbanism. Although his proposal was not realized, the Driehaus Prize jury cited the project as an early and influential contribution to contemporary classicism and urban regeneration.

Over the course of his career, Simpson has worked across private, public, and institutional commissions. The jury highlighted his emphasis on precedent-based composition, contextual siting, and durable construction. In addition to practice, Simpson has held teaching roles at the Prince’s Foundation, the University of Buckingham, and the University of Cambridge, where he is affiliated with the Centre for the Study of Classical Architecture. He is also a fellow of Gonville and Caius College. 

“Our ancestors built wonderful and enduring cities through a shared tradition,” Simpson said. “When I began my career, there were only a few that held to that path. It is such a joy to see how this has changed over the years with a rising generation of architects committed to restoring the continuity that binds us to our Classical roots and determined to create a beautiful and humane world for future generations to enjoy. This award recognizes the enduring value of tradition, not as nostalgia, but as a foundation for building well and responsibly today.” 

The 2026 Henry Hope Reed Award will be presented to French architect Philippe Villeneuve, recognized for his leadership in the restoration of the Notre-Dame Cathedral following the 2019 fire. Villeneuve, a chief architect of historical monuments in France, directed a large interdisciplinary team and advocated for rebuilding the cathedral using original construction methods and materials.