Ada Louise Huxtable

Pulitzer Prize-winning architecture critic who reshaped urban preservation debates

Ada Louise Huxtable (1921–2013) became The New York Times' first full-time architecture critic in 1963, using her platform to advocate for preserving historic landmarks like Grand Central Terminal. Her sharp critiques halted destructive urban renewal projects and influenced the 1966 National Historic Preservation Act.

Huxtable’s writings emphasized architecture’s social impact, challenging modernist trends that prioritized efficiency over community needs. Awarded the first Pulitzer Prize for Criticism in 1970, she later curated MoMA exhibitions and advised UNESCO. Her legacy endures in protected skylines worldwide and elevated public engagement with built environments.