"I feel deeply honored and grateful to receive the 2026 Award in Architecture from the American Academy of Arts and Letters.

Looking at the long list of past laureates, I feel both humbled and privileged to join this year’s group. It is particularly significant to me that, for the first time, an architectural lighting designer is being recognized. I am also touched to follow, twenty years later, another French laureate, my dear friend Jean Nouvel, who received the Brunner Prize in 2006.

Founded in 1898, the American Academy of Arts and Letters is one of the oldest cultural institutions in the United States. Each year, it recognizes architects whose work reflects a strong personal direction and explores architecture through different modes of expression. To see architectural lighting acknowledged by this award is especially meaningful to me.

I am very grateful to the Academy, the selection committee, and to all those who support the idea that lighting design is an essential element of architecture."

H.D.

Official Press Release: https://www.artsandletters.org/news?slug=2026-architecture-award-winners-announced