A Program of the AIA Design for Aging Knowledge Community and the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA) The DFAR is no longer accepting submissions for cycle 10. The submission information is provided below for reference only. Questions regarding the program may be directed to dfa@aia.org.
Overview | Eligibility | Submission Criteria | Schedule and Deadlines | Entry Fees
Frequently Asked Questions | Tips for Using the Online Submission Site | Questions? | Submission Site
The AIA Design for Aging Knowledge Community and the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA), as part of its Quality First Initiative, invite architects, designers, researchers and providers to submit projects and research for consideration in Design for Aging Review, 10th Edition.
The Review includes a juried exhibition, a book, and educational programs that showcase facilities representing conscientious environments and research that advances environments for senior living. A jury of architects and care providers for the aging will select the projects and research to be published and exhibited. This comprehensive review of architectural design trends for the aging will become a reference for providers, developers, users, advocates, architects, and interior, landscape, and other design professionals. This program gives architects and researchers the opportunity to demonstrate innovative solutions that improve the quality of life within specific project constraints.
Projects selected for publication will be exhibited at the AAHSA Annual Meeting and Exposition in both 2009 and 2010 as well as at the 2010 and 2011 AIA National Convention.
All entries must meet the following requirements for each of the four entry categories:
A. Building Category
Projects as a Whole: Entries in the Building Category architectural design project submittals wherein the entire project is judged as a whole. Entries are architectural design project submittals; new construction as well as renovations qualify in this category.
Special Features: This sub-category in the Review includes supportive elements of the built environment, either as small stand-alone projects or as a part of larger projects, including interior and/or outdoor spaces. These special features may include, but are not limited to, aging-in-place; community-based projects; bathing areas; gardens; day-lighting; acoustical, lighting, mechanical, and electrical systems; life/safety; dignity-enhancing; operating system designs; renovations or conversions of buildings for supportive housing; and innovative products that have been completed. Area, program, and cost data must be submitted on the descriptive sheets. (Hypothetical projects and commercially available product designs are not eligible.)
All representative areas of the building components shall be submitted, including a site plan for the entire project, with all components clearly labeled. Jury evaluation will include a holistic overview of the complete project and the relationship of past, current, or future (if known) phases. For example, a CCRC submittal that does not include the healthcare areas may be published but not considered eligible for an Award of Merit.
B. Planning/Concept Design Category
Projects submitted in this category may in the planning phase only (only un-built projects may be eligible). Projects may be community or campus plans, may include master plans or re-positioning plans. Also, building projects that are currently in early concept stages of design, which demonstrate significant ideas or innovations, should be submitted in this category.
C. Affordable Category
Given the critical need for Affordable Housing, the DFA has created this new category for project recognition. Criteria for this category are the same as "Building" or "Planning/Concept Design" as defined above with the additional stipulation of "affordability". The generally accepted definition of affordability is for a household to pay no more than 30 percent of its adjusted gross income on housing. There are several web-pages that may be helpful to submitters in determining applicability of affordability: the AIA's Affordable Green Guidelines and the Affordable Housing Design Advisor (sponsored by HUD with cooperation of the AIA).
D. Research Projects and Post Occupancy Evaluations (POEs) Category
Projects submitted in this category are intended to recognize and promote outstanding research in design for aging. The Research/POE Awards emphasize the link between research and practice, and demonstrate how a better understanding of the relationship between people and their environment can lead to improvement in design as well as quality of life.
Eligible research/POEs are any type of completed research project or POE that is concerned with improving environments for older adults. The research/POEs need not meet academic standards of rigor. It is more important that the methods and the limitations of the research/POEs are fully presented.
Basis for recognition in Research and POEs will be evaluated separately so that uniform standards can be applied to each type of project. Factors that will be considered in selecting research/POE projects for awards include:
- Relevance: Projects should have broad relevance, informing the design and/or management of environments for aging.
- Focus: Projects should clearly focus on well-defined questions or issues so that research results can have maximum value.
- Context: Projects should be clearly grounded in the context of recent literature and practice.
- Hypothesis: Evaluations of environments-in-use should clearly define the purpose or theoretical basis for the evaluation.
- Documentation: The research/POE methods should be well documented.
- Communication: the research/POE findings and implications should be clearly communicated through easy-to-understand combinations of text, graphics and photos.
Resubmissions
Projects that have been submitted and accepted for publication in previous Design for Aging Review cycles may not be resubmitted except under the following conditions:
- The project was submitted in design, has been completed, and evidence of the completed project is furnished.
- The project was submitted as an earlier phase of a multi-phased development, and additional phases are complete.
- Selected aspects of previously published projects have been submitted in any or all of the new subcategories: Special Features, Research Projects and Post Occupancy Evaluations, and/or Sustainable Building Solutions.
This year, the submission process for Design for Aging Review, 10th Edition is arranged into two parts. The two-phase process was developed to simplify and limit the size of the initial submissions, so that additional and a more diverse group of applicants could apply.
General Criteria
- Projects previously published in the Review as in-progress or unbuilt Projects may be resubmitted as built Projects for consideration in this publication. Projects not previously selected for publication in the Review may also be resubmitted. Resubmitted Projects must meet the eligibility requirements outlined (see "Eligibility" and "Resubmissions").
- All submitted materials become the property of the AIA. Rights to all materials in the submission must be cleared for use by the AIA in the book and related publicity. Entrants are responsible for any royalties or copyright photography fees.
- No firm identification should be visible on any of the submission fields or uploads (except in the "Concealed Identification" section) so that firms may not be identified during the jury process. Failure to follow this criterion will result in immediate disqualification.
Phase One
Phase One is comprised of this online submission form, which must be completed by all applicants. The questions asked in Phase One focus on the scope of the submitted Project, its goals, and the unique features that make it worthy of distinction. This information will be used by the jury to decide the award winners and published Projects.
Phase One submissions must be submitted online; and the following must be provided for a Project to be eligible:
1. Data
All mandatory fields must be completed. The data that is submitted should identify the Project, explain the major design challenges, describe the functional and aesthetic qualities, and provide relevant statistical information about the Project.
2. Images
- All images submitted must be low-resolution and clearly labeled and/or captioned.
- Your submission must include the required items listed as one .PDF file smaller than 4 MB.
- Upon the jury's final selection you may be contacted to provide high-resolution images. Without these your project will not receive proper recognition. Winning submission materials become the property of the AIA Library and Archives and will be used in an exhibit for the AIA National Conventions & AAHSA Conventions.
Category A – Building
The function of the building and its major departments should be described in detail through site and floor plans. Projects should be illustrated with color images of the interior and exterior of the building as well as perspective drawings, site and floor plans, elevations, and any other design elements deemed appropriate. Submissions must fully illustrate the interior environment as well as the exterior; at least one interior photograph must be included in the submission. Your submission should include the following uploads as one PDF file smaller than 4 MB:
1. A floor plan of each level in the building (minimum 1)
2. A site plan of the project
3. At least two exterior color images
4. At least two interior color images
5. Up to 6 additional color images or sections
You may use text, captions, and layout to convey your ideas. Do not include the name of the architect, designer, or other concealed identification information anywhere on your images.
Category B ‐ Planning/Concept Design
Un-built Projects should be illustrated with perspective drawings, site and floor plans, elevations, and any other design elements that are appropriate. If available, photographs of models (black/white or color) should be submitted. Your submission should include the following as one PDF file smaller than 4 MB: A maximum of 8 images, at your discretion that best illustrate your planning/concept design. Images may include but are not necessarily limited to: a site plan or context description, floor plans as appropriate, sketches and renderings. You may use text, captions, and layout to convey your ideas. Do not include the name of the architect, designer, or other concealed identification information anywhere on your images.
Category C – Affordable
For Affordable Building, your submission should include the following as one PDF file smaller than 4 MB:
6. A floor plan of each level in the building (minimum 1)
7. A site plan of the project
8. At least two exterior color images
9. At least two interior color images
10. Up to 6 additional color images or sections
You may use text, captions, and layout to convey your ideas. Do not include the name of the architect, designer, or other concealed identification information anywhere on your images.
For Affordable Planning/Concept Design, your submission should include the following as one PDF file smaller than 4 MB: a maximum of 8 images, at your discretion that best illustrate your planning/concept design. Images may include but are not necessarily limited to: a site plan or context description, floor plans as appropriate, sketches and renderings. You may use text, captions, and layout to convey your ideas. Do not include the name of the architect, designer, or other concealed identification information anywhere on your images.
Category D ‐ Research/POE
Research/POE projects should be illustrated with images as appropriate (e.g. plans, photographs, diagrams, etc.). If there are no images to support the Research/POE Project, you are not required to submit images. Your submission should include the following as one PDF file smaller than 4 MB: Any final report, documentation, photographs or diagrams that illustrate key aspects of the research. You may use text, captions, and layout to convey your ideas. Do not include the name of the architect, designer, or other concealed identification information anywhere on your images.
Phase Two
Phase Two is required only if your submission is chosen to receive an award. You must complete Phase Two to have your Project published and/or exhibited. Please note, however, that Research/POE applicants only need to complete Phase One. Also note that Phase Two includes two sets of questions: one set for the designer of the Project to complete and another set of questions for the owner/sponsor of the Project to complete. Both sets of questions must be completed, so please confirm both parties' involvement before submitting.
The Design for Aging Review will highlight the role of the owner/sponsor as a key participant in the evloution of the design. The architect is strongly discouraged from either preparing or helping to prepare the owner's statement on behalf of the owner.
For the Building, Planning/Concept Design, and Affordable winners, the questions asked in Phase Two provide more detailed information about your Project for the Design for Aging Review book, as well as for more in-depth data analysis. The designer's questions include basic project metrics (e.g. a breakdown of Project square footage) and also delve more deeply into what was the intent behind the design goals and what about the Project is unique or innovative. In addition, the architect is encouraged to indicate evidence of these strategies throughout the submission (e.g., floor plan notations). The owner's/sponsor's questions gather information about how the Project is operating.
Phase Two submissions must provide the following for a Project to be eligible:
1. Data
All mandatory fields must be completed by the designer or owner/sponsor. The data that is submitted should identify the Project, explain the major design challenges, describe the functional and aesthetic qualities, and provide relevant statistical information about the Project.
Please note the definitions listed above under the Phase One Criteria.
July 27, 2009, 8 p.m. Eastern Time
Submission deadline
August 21, 2009
Notification of jury decisions
September 14, 2009
Exhibit panels due to AIA
November 8 - 11, 2009
AAHSA Annual Meeting, Chicago
Exhibit panels on display
June 10 - 12, 2010
AIA National Convention, Miami
Exhibit panels on display
A non-refundable entry fee must be paid online.
If you would like to submit applications to different types of awards, then please select and complete individual submissions for each award type.
11. Building - $750 (each additional entry $500)
12. Planning/ Concept Design - $350
13. Affordable (Building or Planning/Concept design- $350
14. Research/POE - $250
D. Scott Crabtree
Broadway Services, Inc.
Larry Mabry
Collington Episcopal Life Care Community
Roxanne Malek, AIA
SmithGroup
Jeff Los, AIA
Ankrom Moisan Associated Architects
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a way to know what questions will be asked in advance?
You may view the project information requirements for the Building, Planning/Concept Design, & Affordable categories and for the Research/POE category.
How will I know my submission has been received?
You will receive an e-mail with a confirmation number upon completion of your entry.
What if I want to make changes after I have completed my submission?
You can edit your submission until 19:59:59 pm Eastern Time, July 27, 2009.
How will I know that my attachment was uploaded?
To view your attachment, click the attachment file name in the "Attachment" column located at the bottom of the File Upload page. You are responsible for checking that the file you upload opens and can be viewed as you intended
What if I cannot upload an attachment?
First, make sure the file you are uploading is in a PDF format. This is the only type of file able to be uploaded so that we can maintain cross-platform compatibility. This ensures that the Mac versus PC question does not come into play.
What if I have a PDF file and am still not able to upload the attachment?
All files to be uploaded must be smaller than 4MB. Please check that your file meets these requirements. The system will not allow anything larger for your convenience, time requirements, and server space.
What if I am not capable of converting a file to a PDF?
Most copy centers and local libraries can help you convert your files. Technical Support will also help you with file conversion—they can be reached from the link on the online submission page labeled "Problems, Questions, Comments?" located in the upper-right-hand corner of each page.
What if I change my mind and do not want to submit?
The decision to submit your application should be made very carefully, before you enter the payment information. Once you have entered that information and click "save and continue," you will be charged and no refunds will be issued.
Tips for Using the Online Submission Site
- You may edit your submission until 19:59:59 pm Eastern Time on July 27, 2009.
- Please note that once you hit “Save and Submit” your file does not leave the system until the deadline has passed.
- You can log back into the site to update or change any information you have entered or uploaded prior to the deadline, even after receipt of your confirmation e-mail.
- Your initial entry requires that you move through the submission site sequentially. Should you wish to work on different sections of the submission out of order you must log off and reenter the site where you will be prompted with the following: “You have two choices to edit this submission:
1 - If you would like to visit each incomplete page, sequentially.
2 - If you would like to go to the submission summary screen, which displays all sections, and choose which section you would like to edit.
Option Two will allow you to maneuver throughout the different areas of the site.
You may contact kcawards@aia.org to ask questions.
For technical problems submitters should contact the Sierra Bay technical support line, 407.438.7939 extension 2 or support@sierrabay.net during regular business hours Eastern Time.