October 6, 2011 — Edward R. Ford, Vincent and Eleanor Shea Professor of Architecture at the University of Virginia, has been awarded the Virginia Society of the Institute of Architects' Prize for Design Research and Scholarship for the work presented in his new book, "The Architectural Detail."

"'The Architectural Detail' impressed us as a study that linked theory and practice by focusing on the most minute aspects of design," said the society's announcement. "It is a unique, accessible treatment of a topic that has seen a lot of writing but little clarity, and its ambitious scope and thorough analysis make it an important study that has implications for how detailing is taught and executed. Its conclusions are provocative, and they will likely create much-needed debate and reflection on a subject that is often taken for granted or overlooked."

Ford will receive the award at the society's conference, "Architecture Exchange East," on Nov. 3 at 1 p.m. in Richmond. He will present his work at a session earlier that day.

"The Architectural Detail" was just published by Princeton Architectural Press. "'The Architectural Detail' is author Edward R. Ford's life's work," according to the Press, "and this may be his most important book to date. Ford walks the reader through five widely accepted (and wildly different) definitions of detail, in an attempt to find, once and for all, the quintessential definition of detail in architecture."