Auburn University School of Architecture’s own Andrew Freear is the recipient of the 2006 Ralph Erskine Award in recognition of his work as director of AU’s Rural Studio of the College of Architecture, Design and Construction.

Freear is the first architect working in the United States to receive this award, named for world renowned architect Ralph Erskine and presented every three years to an individual, group or organization for the creation of innovative architectural works benefiting the less privileged in society.

The award was established in 1988 by the Ralph Erskine Nordic Stipend Fund and includes a stipend equivalent to 10,000 U.S. dollars.

“I am surprised, honored and very happy,” Freear said of winning the award. “Ralph Erskine was a great architect. This acknowledges our work in a global context. It shows that good architecture can be provided for everyone in society, even the poor.”

“Andrew Freear has established himself as one of Auburn’s very best faculty,” said CADC Dean Dan Bennett. “The leadership he has shown in moving our Rural Studio forward has brought both national and international acclaim to the university. The Erskine Award is certainly an honor that is well-deserved and is significant international recognition, not just for his accomplishments, but also for his labor on behalf of those in our culture who are disadvantaged.”

Freear became co-director of the Rural Studio in 2002, and was recently named director. Before coming to AU, he taught for five years at the University of Illinois-Chicago and has degrees from Polytechnic of Central London and the Architectural Association, London, England.

The Ralph Erskine Nordic Stipend Fund is sponsored by the Swedish Association of Architects, the Federation of Danish Architects, the Finnish Association of Architects, the National Association of Norwegian Architects, the Federation of Faroese Architects and the Association of Icelandic Architects.

Previous winners include architects working in Iceland, Mozambique, India, South Africa, Indonesia, Nepal and Costa Rica.