Building on Tradition: The Exploration of a Practice with William Curtis and Russell Windham Drayton Hall is proud to present the 2026 Preview Party Honorary Chairs, Bill Curtis & Russell Windham Award-winning architects and authors of the new book Building on Tradition, William Curtis and Russell Windham are known for skillfully blending traditional architectural principles with a keen awareness of modern life. Join the duo as they talk about how they match their projects to their cultural and physical environment-understanding constraints, possibilities, and the local vernacular, whether it's a windswept retreat on the California coast or a tree-lined enclave in Houston, Texas. The two acclaimed architects discuss the many dynamic stories of their decades long practice and reflect on what it means to build a passion-driven career from the ground up, all the while maintaining a deep and sincere attachment to the pursuit of thoughtful, worthwhile local architecture. BILL CURTIS William Curtis, a founding co-principal of Curtis & Windham Architects, began collaborating with partner Russell Windham in 1992, shortly after both parties relocated to Houston. Returning to their native Texas roots, they established a firm capable of expressing itself through a traditional and classical architectural language. Though their practice has grown considerably in the ensuing decades, this commitment to respecting and revitalizing the local historical context has not wavered. A graduate of the University of Texas, Curtis has lectured and participated as a critic at various architectural schools throughout the United States. He currently serves on the Dean's Advisory Council for the University of Texas School of Architecture. Curtis is a founding member of the Texas Chapter of the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art. In 1999, he and Russell Windham received that organization's highest honor, the Arthur Ross Award. His work has been published widely in several books and magazines, including Architectural Digest, Veranda, Elle Décor, and the firms' first monograph, A Vision of Place. RUSSELL WINDHAM Russell Windham is a co-founder of award-winning architecture firm, Curtis & Windham Architects, along with Bill Curtis. Based in Houston, Texas, the firm comprises three independent but collaborative studios specializing in interiors, gardens, and landscapes and has received consecutive Palladio Awards and multiple John Staub Awards. They are also the recipient of The Institute of Classical Architecture & Art's highest honor, the Arthur Ross Award. Russell is a graduate of Texas Tech and has served as the President of the Texas Chapter of the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art and the Chairman of the Board of the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art. Curtis & Windham's new book, Building on Tradition, is coming out from Rizzoli in fall 2024, and is a follow-up to their monograph, A Vision of Place, which came out in 2017. Their work has been featured in various publications, including Architectural Digest, Veranda, Elle Decor, House Beautiful and many others. Russell regularly lectures on traditional architecture and is working on projects throughout the US and in England. He lives in Houston. Date & Time: Saturday, March 21st at 12 p.m. Location: Festival Hall, 56 Beaufain Street, Charleston, SC Tickets