Oak Park native Thomas H. Beeby will receive the Richard H. Driehaus Prize Saturday.

Beeby is the architect behind buildings including the Harold Washington Library and the Harris Theater at Millennium Park. It’s the first time a Chicago area architect is taking home the international award.

WBEZ’s architecture blogger Lee Bey said Beeby’s style is very important to the city.

“The genius of Tom’s work is that he incorporates these elements in a way that references the past but doesn’t somehow replicate the past,” Bey said. “It’s a really fine line and he is able to master it.”

Beeby is known for designs of large and sturdy public buildings that fully embrace classical columns and arches.

The $200,000 prize is given out to living architects whose work embodies ideals of traditional and classical architecture.