Michael Hollander (May 27, 1934–November 11, 2015), was an influential and distinguished professor of architecture at Pratt Institute for 40 years. Professor Hollander inspired generations of Bachelor of Architecture students in their designs, drawings, and writings.
Founded and spearheaded by Professor Richard Sarrach in 2016, and supported by Dean Thomas Hanrahan and Undergraduate Architecture Chair Erika Hinrichs, the Michael Hollander Drawing Excellence Award (MHDEA), has completed four years of evaluating and designating the best drawings from all five levels of our curriculum.
On Monday March 4, 2019 at 6 PM, we will honor Michael Hollander and celebrate the permanent display of the drawings and the exhibition opening in the Higgins Hall South Main Stairwell, at Pratt Institute School of Architecture.
Michael Hollander on the naming of the Award:
“. . . I am honored, of course— but for the acknowledgment of the significance of drawing implicit in the award: that the representations involved are not just visualizations or depictions, no matter how affecting, but rather conceptualizations of aspects of a building, which carry information. And that, naturally, they become instruments both in design and analysis, at once powerful and extremely sensitive, in which even the slightest seemingly idiosyncratic indication may convey something essential. I am moved too that Pratt should choose to become an instigator in advancing this orientation. Yes, I would be extremely grateful that my name be affiliated within the prize. Thank you so much . . .”
—August 2015
