Architect, author Lance Hosey wins architectural journalism prize

As both a practicing architect and an established author on sustainable design, it’s no surprise why Lance Hosey was named this year’s winner for the Sarah Booth Conroy Prize for Journalism and Architectural Criticism, presented by the Washington, D.C. chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA|DC). This prize was created in 2016 in order to award reportorial or critical excellence in fostering a better public understanding of architecture and urbanism in Washington, D.C.

Since he graduated from Yale University and Columbia University, Hosey has had a great interest in not only architecture, but criticism as well. This is in part thanks to him having completed a criticism class with American architect Paul Goldberger.

In an interview with Curbed DC, Hosey said, “I felt that what we do as designers is really just exploring ideas, and some ideas are more easily explored through words … So, I’ve always sort of tried to stand in both of those worlds.”

Past essays by Hosey have been published in the New York Times, the Washington Post, Metropolis, and Architectural Record. He is also the author behind the 2012 publication The Shape of Green: Aesthetics, Ecology, and Design, which is focused on how good design and green design should merge.

“The thing that appealed to me about sustainability was not just about environmental impact,” said Hosey. “It was also about whether there are clear criteria for guiding the decisions we make as a designer.”

Additional notable past experiences by Hosey include that he has worked as a Director for William McDonough + Partners, and he also has served as Chief Sustainability Officer for two of the world’s largest design firms. He has chaired the USGBC’s LEED Advisory Committee and currently serves on the American Institute of Architects Committee on the Environment Advisory Group. Currently, he leads the Design Excellence program with Harley Ellis Devereaux (HED). With all this experience, he is also a public speaker, having spoken at TED and keynoted SXSW Eco and the Idea Festival.

On how he feels about winning the Conroy Prize, Hosey said, “This prize is incredibly gratifying … For the next five years, I hope that through this kind of opportunity—bringing more attention to how we broadcast different sets of ideas—that I can help encourage more thinking about how to bridge the gap between good design and green design.”

Past winners of the Conroy Prize have been Kriston Capps and Amanda Kolson Hurley.

• Amanda Kolson Hurley wins AIA|DC architectural journalism prize [Curbed DC]

• Kriston Capps is the D.C. Architectural Journalist of the Moment [Curbed DC]