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January 14, 2026
The ICAA is a nonprofit educational organization committed to promoting and preserving the practice, understanding, and appreciation of traditional design.
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The Architecture of Place: In Conversation with... is series of interviews between design practitioners, scholars, and educators. The latest iteration of the series, from December 2025, features conversations with three designers and place-makers from different backgrounds and points of view: Manvendra Singh Shekhawat, Felicity Cain, and Soraya Hosni.
From the winter 2025-2026 Architecture of Place series, Soraya Hosni's interview with Manvendra Singh Shekhawat is now available to watch in full.
Manvendra is a systems thinker and regenerative developer reimagining growth at the intersection of culture, ecology, and economy. He leads Dhun, a 500-acre regenerative town project in Jaipur; the Suryagarh Collection, which transforms historic forts into boutique hotels and cultural districts; and The I Love Foundation, dedicated to strengthening civic capacity and cultural preservation.
His work fuses ancestral knowledge with modern tools to prototype scalable models of regenerative development for the Global South. Recognized by The King’s Foundation (HM King Charles III) and the Qatar Foundation, he is a fellow of the Aspen Institute, the Unreasonable Group, Summit Impact, INK and the Frontier Technology Laboratory at the University of Cambridge. Manvendra also writes poetry, makes short films, and explores how imagination can transform scarcity into abundance.
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Presented as part of The Richard H. Driehaus Curricula for the Built Environment at the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art. The ICAA is very grateful to The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation for its generous support of this program.
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Ben Pentreath, past McKim Lecturer and contributor to the ICAA, was awarded an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the King's 2026 New Year Honours. King Charles III gave Ben the award for his significant contributions to design, recognizing his influential work in classical architecture and interior design, exemplified in projects like Poundbury, Tornagrain and his many residential projects.
Speaking about the honor, Ben said, "It was a real surprise to receive a letter back in December that I had been awarded an OBE in the King’s New Year’s Honours List – but it’s been a wonderful start to the year. I think that the impact and importance of architecture and design can, in general, be overlooked – and the world of traditional and classical architecture even more so – so it was thrilling to see our world recognised in this way."
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On March 10th, 2021, the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art (ICAA) was proud to partner with the University Club and the One West 54th Street Foundation to present the Annual McKim Lecture, named in honor of renowned architect, Charles McKim. The 2021 speaker, Ben Pentreath, delivered a virtual lecture entitled "Lessons from History," examining how crucial it is to have a harmonious union between modernity and classicism.
Ben Pentreath is one of the United Kingdom’s leading architectural and interior designers. His London-based design studio has established a powerful reputation across a wide-ranging variety of disciplines. Projects range from large-scale urban development projects across the country; on large and small private houses; and on interior decoration projects from romantic castles, to English country houses, to smaller homes in the country and London.
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| | ARTICLES & VIDEOS: PREVIOUS ISSUE | | |
The Institute of Classical Architecture & Art (ICAA) mourns the loss of Robert A.M. Stern, Founder and Senior Partner of Robert A.M. Stern Architects (RAMSA), and an eloquent advocate for classical and traditional design. Robert A.M. Stern left an indelible mark on the built environment and the entire field of architecture, and his visionary work transformed skylines around the world, including his beloved New York City. In addition to his enduring architectural contributions, he was also an educator, historian, and mentor who inspired the generations of younger and emerging practitioners, serving as the Dean of the Yale School of Architecture from 1998 to 2016.
Robert A.M. Stern was a three-time recipient of the ICAA’s Arthur Ross Award, winning in the categories of Architecture in 1991, Education in 2016, and receiving the Board of Directors Honor in 2007, and was a longtime champion of the ICAA, contributing to lectures and discussions and inviting students to the RAMSA offices. He was also the subject of the ICAA’s 2018 documentary film, Robert A.M. Stern: Always a Student, which aired on PBS. In addition to the Arthur Ross Award, Stern was also the recipient of the Driehaus Prize, the Vincent Scully Prize, the Topaz Medallion, and the Athena Award.
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As Prince of Wales, King Charles III had a profound affect on the way architecture was viewed, not just in the UK but around the world. By championing Classicism and traditional styles, he gave heart to architects who had felt ostracized from their profession, due to the ideological dominance of the Modern Movement. Although he might only be giving voice to what ordinary people were saying, without being heard, his interventions in the debate often proved controversial. Since he became King three years ago, a broad swathe of opinion now recognizes that he may have been right.
On October 15th, Clive Aslet, Publisher of Triglyph Books and former Editor of Country Life, delivered a lecture that explored the architectural and design legacy of King Charles III.
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Thank you to the ICAA's Book Club Sponsor: Foster Reeve: Architectural & Ornamental Plaster
Thank you to our generous sponsors:
Lead Annual Public Programs Sponsor: RINCK
Seasonal Public Programs Sponsor: Dell Mitchell Architects
Seasonal Public Programs Sponsor: Hyde Park Mouldings
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