Architecture is not solely a lineage of remarkable edifices, posited Fumihiko Maki (1928-2024) in his impactful manifesto “Explorations in Collective Form” (1964). Urban areas develop organically, over time, in numerous directions. The constructed environment is perpetually the outcome of various hands and countless decisions.
But what does collective form signify in the present day? What is architecture’s function in nurturing the urban landscape? And how could a more cooperative architectural culture tackle modern social and ecological dilemmas?
These are the inquiries raised by “Collective Form/Forums,” the 2026 James Harrison Steedman Fellowship in Architecture. The biennial research competition — organized by the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts at Washington University in St. Louis, in collaboration with AIA St. Louis — encourages emerging architects from around the globe to explore and re-envision the essential systems, facilities, and services that support contemporary existence.
The 2025-26 cycle will celebrate the Steedman’s 100th anniversary. The initial competition announcement was made in 1925, with architect Paul James Saunders being the first recipient in 1926. For this year’s round, the Steedman Fellowship award, historically one of the largest in the United States, supporting up to a year of global travel and examination, has been increased to $100,000.
“The Steedman Fellowship has backed young architects for nearly a century,” stated Chandler Ahrens, an associate professor of architecture at the Sam Fox School and a member of the Steedman governing body. “This year’s theme, devised by jury chair and renowned architect and urban planner Neeraj Bhatia, invites entrants to engage with Maki’s legacy, the condition of regional cultures in a globalized society, and the relevance of collective form today.”
Maki, the recipient of the 1993 Pritzker Prize, taught at WashU from 1956-62 and co-established the university’s Master of Urban Design program. “Collective Form” was mainly drafted during his tenure on campus and was initially published by WashU. The university also commissioned Maki’s first completed project, Steinberg Hall (1960), as well as the Maki-designed Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum and Earl E. and Myrtle E. Walker Hall (both 2006).
Discover more on the Sam Fox School website.
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