Celebrating Visionary Design: The 2026 Seaside Prize Goes to Marieanne Khoury-Vogt & Erik Vogt
Each year, the Seaside Institute gathers architects, planners, designers, and community leaders from around the country to recognize people whose work influences how we live and build. In 2026, Marieanne Khoury-Vogt and Erik Vogt, founders of Khoury & Vogt Architects (KVA), received the Seaside Prize™. This award honors those who make a real difference in architecture, urban design, and community development.
This video is more than just a ceremony—it tells a story. It shows the people behind the projects, the places they have shaped, and the spirit of the New Urbanism movement. Whether you are a designer, a community advocate, or just someone who appreciates beautiful places, the video offers a unique look at how good design makes a difference. Watching the Prize winners celebrated among their peers, along with scenes from Seaside and nearby towns, brings the ideas of placemaking and sustainability to life in a way that words cannot.
The Seaside Prize: A Legacy of Design Excellence
Now in its 32nd year, the Seaside Prize™ recognizes people and organizations whose work has shaped how communities are planned, built, and experienced. The award highlights leadership in quality, character, sustainability, and livability—values at the heart of the Seaside Institute and the New Urbanism movement.
What started as a way to honor leaders in community design has become a weekend full of conversation, learning, and inspiration. The event brings together people from all parts of the built environment. Activities include panel discussions, guided tours, and celebrations that showcase both achievements and new ideas for creating healthy, beautiful, and lively places.
Honoring Marieanne Khoury-Vogt & Erik Vogt
This year, Marieanne Khoury-Vogt and Erik Vogt were chosen for their strong impact on architecture and urban design over the past twenty years.
They started Khoury & Vogt Architects (KVA) in 2001, believing that great design should balance tradition and innovation. Their work, from private homes to large community projects, blends classical styles, modern needs, and local influences, especially from Mediterranean and tropical regions.
Their widely recognized work shows how great architecture improves not just buildings, but also the lives of the people who use them. Honors like the Arthur Ross Award for classical architecture and the Barranco Award for urban design highlight their skill in combining craftsmanship, context, and a sense of community.
A Weekend of Community & Connection
The Seaside Prize Weekend, held February 6 to 8, 2026, included events in Seaside, Alys Beach, and nearby communities. Guests enjoyed a range of experiences, such as:
- Guided architectural tours led by the honorees themselves
- Keynote conversations with leaders in New Urbanism
- Panels and discussions on resilience, sustainability, and design legacy
- Receptions and dinners that fostered connection among designers and community advocates
- Celebratory awards dinner at The Chapel at Seaside, where the Prize was presented by Seaside founders Robert and Daryl Davis.
Beyond the official events, the weekend highlighted Seaside’s ongoing role as a living example of community-focused design. It is a place where ideas turn into reality and where walkability, beauty, and social connection are part of daily life.
At its core, the Seaside Prize is more than just an award. It reminds us that our built environment is important. Good design creates not only beautiful buildings, but also strong neighborhoods, lasting communities, and a better quality of life.
Marieanne Khoury-Vogt and Erik Vogt’s work shows this spirit in action. Their influence goes beyond their own projects and inspires others to consider how architecture can improve our world.
Whether you care deeply about architecture, community design, or are just curious about how places affect people, the Seaside Prize and its celebration give a meaningful look at the impact of good design.
Posted by Robin Maynard
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