Trophy Design Contest for the John Staub Awards

In 2026, the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art Texas Chapter invited designers and artisans to submit original concepts for a new trophy for the John Staub Awards. The competition sought a design that would honor the legacy of architect John F. Staub through thoughtful form, material integrity, and enduring craftsmanship.

Entrants were encouraged to consider the trophy not simply as an award object, but as a lasting expression of the principles celebrated by the John Staub Awards: proportion, permanence, craftsmanship, material honesty, and a meaningful connection to classical and vernacular traditions.

The selected design will be fabricated for presentation at the 2026 John Staub Awards and will establish the trophy design for future John Staub Awards celebrations.

Congratulations to Alexander Burran

ICAA Texas is pleased to announce Alexander Burran as the winner of the 2026 John Staub Awards Trophy Design Contest.

Burran’s winning proposal reinterprets the John Staub Awards as a permanent architectural object, drawing upon the language of classical stonework, carved ornament, proportion, and monumentality. Its stepped base, framed central panel, carved decorative motif, and integrated inscription give the trophy the character of a small architectural monument while remaining closely connected to the craftsmanship and traditions celebrated by the awards.

The design will be translated from drawing to stone and presented for the first time at the 2026 John Staub Awards Gala.

We congratulate Alexander Burran on his selected design and extend our appreciation to all of the designers and artisans who contributed their creativity, ideas, and craftsmanship to the competition.

Winning design for the 2026 John Staub Awards Trophy Design Contest by Alexander Burran.

About the Competition

The 2026 John Staub Awards Trophy Design Contest invited designers and artisans to propose an original trophy responding to the architectural legacy of John Staub and the mission of ICAA Texas.

Proposals were developed within established dimensional and fabrication parameters and were considered in relation to form, proportion, craftsmanship, material integrity, durability, and suitability for fabrication in stone.

Designers were encouraged to approach the trophy sculpturally while creating an object with the permanence and character appropriate to an award celebrating excellence in architecture, design, and craftsmanship.

With Thanks to MATERIAL Bespoke Stone + Tile

ICAA Texas extends its appreciation to MATERIAL Bespoke Stone + Tile for its partnership in bringing the winning design from concept to fabrication.

Their expertise in stone and craftsmanship will help transform Alexander Burran’s proposal into a lasting object that reflects the values of the John Staub Awards and can become part of the awards tradition for years to come.