Richard Driehaus outside the Driehaus Museum in Chicago
The National Civic Art Society mourns the sudden passing of Chicago-based philanthropist Richard Driehaus, who created and funded the Driehaus Architecture Prize, the premier classical alternative to the predominantly modernist Pritzker Prize. He is also responsible for the Henry Hope Reed Award, which is given to an individual working outside the practice of architecture who has supported the cultivation of traditional architecture and art through writing, planning, or promotion.
Driehaus’ contributions to humanistic architecture, design, and the built environment exceeded $50 million.
He was a generous benefactor of the National Civic Art Society, and he played a momentous role in getting the organization off the ground. His support and enthusiasm for NCAS continued to his passing.
A man of exquisite taste, Driehaus also restored significant historic buildings, including the 1883 Gilded Age Samuel Mayo Nickerson Mansion, which now serves as The Richard H. Driehaus Museum in Chicago; the 1886 Richardsonian Romanesque Ransom Cable Mansion, which served as headquarters for his business; and the 1906 Georgian-style estate built by Norman W. Harris in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.
“Through his extraordinary visionary generosity, Richard Driehaus transformed the field of architecture,” said National Civic Art Society President Justin Shubow. “His prizes and related philanthropy invigorated contemporary classical architecture, which he rightfully believed was a worthy endeavor that brought beauty and delight into the lives of ordinary people. He is also to be remembered for his leadership in and financial backing of the opposition to Frank Gehry’s gargantuan deconstructivist design for the National Eisenhower Memorial—a campaign that improved the final design."
"Driehaus' support of the National Civic Art Society in our early years was crucial in putting us on a firm footing, and allowed us to grow by leaps and bounds. We are proud he said that supporting us was one of the best things he ever did. He will be sorely missed.”