Ellen Peirson Wins 2026 Wheelwright Prize for “Ultra-Processed Kitchens” Research

London-based architect, writer, and contributor to The Architect’s Newspaper (AN), Ellen Peirson, has been named the recipient of the 2026 Wheelwright Prize. Awarded by Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design (GSD), the prize grants Peirson $100,000 over two years to support her groundbreaking research project.

The project, titled “Ultra-Processed Kitchens: Infrastructures of Extraction in the Home,” aims to re-examine the domestic kitchen not merely as a space for food preparation, but as a complex “mineral landscape.” Peirson intends to analyze the components of a typical kitchen, such as clay, gypsum, and silica, as fundamental elements derived from extractive processes.

Investigating Extraction and Waste

Peirson’s research will delve into the kitchen as a site deeply entwined with “extraction, petrochemical dependence, and waste.” The project seeks to uncover the intricate supply chains, the prevailing aspirations, and the specific tastes that drive the industrialized reproduction of kitchen environments. By tracing these elements, Peirson hopes to illuminate the often-unseen environmental consequences embedded within our homes.

An Alternative Vision

As a counterpoint to the current model, Peirson proposes an alternative framework for kitchen design and construction. This alternative vision prioritizes kitchens that are not pollutive or environmentally toxic. Instead, they would be designed to “support well being and sustain ecological limits through an aesthetic of reuse and care.” This approach suggests a move towards materials and systems that embrace circularity and minimize environmental impact.

A Dual Practice

Peirson, who divides her professional life between architectural practice and writing in London, views this duality as integral to her creative process. “Writing has been the way I have learned to see the bigger picture around architecture,” she told AN. “I use writing as a way of thinking and as a way of slowing down assumptions.” She elaborated on the symbiotic relationship between her two pursuits, noting that the practice of architecture informs her writing, and vice versa. “When I am writing about buildings, I feel the pull back to practice; when I am designing or on site, I find myself thinking that I should write about what is happening,” Peirson shared. This inherent tension, she believes, has been crucial in developing a deeper understanding of architecture that extends “beyond the object, as something shaped by materials, labour and the global systems.”

Future Research and Practice

Looking ahead, Peirson intends to maintain this integrated approach as she advances her Wheelwright research. She stated her commitment to “researching and practicing in tandem, because each gives the other more depth.” The prize money will provide the financial freedom to explore critical questions that might be constrained within the typical client-architect relationship. “Practice keeps the research close to the realities of how things are actually built and realised, while the prize will give me the freedom to ask questions that cannot be fully answered within the confines of a client-architect relationship,” Peirson explained.

Jury and Finalists

The 2026 Wheelwright Prize jury comprised a distinguished group of academics and critics, including Harvard GSD dean Sarah Whiting, associate professor Mariana Ibañez, lecturer Marina Otero Verzier, and Master in Design Studies program co-director Charles Waldheim. Also serving on the jury were Jennifer Newsom, co-founder of Dream the Combine and Cornell assistant professor, and Oliver Wainwright, architecture critic for The Guardian and a 2026 Loeb Fellow. Peirson was selected over four other highly regarded finalists: Olga Cobușcean, Junho “Sohun” Kang, Mohamad Nahleh, and Brittany Utting. The 2025 Wheelwright Prize winner was Mauro Marinelli, an Italian architect whose research focused on mountainous regions.

Key facts
| Fact | Detail |
|—|—|
| Winner | Ellen Peirson |
| Prize | 2026 Wheelwright Prize |
| Awarding Institution | Harvard GSD |
| Prize Amount | $100,000 |
| Research Project Title | Ultra-Processed Kitchens: Infrastructures of Extraction in the Home |
| Project Focus | Analyzing kitchens as sites of material extraction, petrochemical dependence, and waste, proposing sustainable alternatives. |

This award highlights a growing critical examination within architectural discourse concerning the material origins and environmental lifecycle of everyday built environments. Peirson’s research into the “Ultra-Processed Kitchen” directly addresses the global challenges of resource depletion and waste, offering a timely and important perspective for architects, designers, and consumers concerned with sustainable futures.

Source: The Architect’s Newspaper, https://www.archpaper.com/2026/07/ellen-peirson-wheelwright-prize/

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