Below is high-level information about the program criteria to help you determine if you are a good fit for the Architecture Firm Award. For full criteria and guidelines, please refer to the submission guide in the Resources tab.

Eligibility

The Architecture Firm Award is open to any firm or successor firms, whether an individual or an organization of architects, consistently producing distinguished architecture for a period of at least ten years.  

• The primary office of the nominated firm must be based in the United States.
• Members of the AIA Board of Directors, Strategic Council, and members of their firms may not be nominated.

Nomination

Any component, Knowledge Community, or AIA member may make nominations for the Architecture Firm Award.  Nominators are required to write a letter of support for the candidate that introduces the submission. Nominators also assist the candidate by acting as a point of contact for the reference writers and providing guidance as needed.

Finalist rollover

Finalists who are not selected may rollover their application materials to the next cycle for consideration in the initial pool of applicants.

Criteria

Nominees are evaluated based on how their contributions have:

• demonstrated great depth and breadth and had a cumulative effect on the profession of architecture.
• addressed the future of architecture while honoring its tradition.
• transcended or united specific areas of expertise.
• become widely known—by architects, designers, educators, and the public—for the quality of their work.

Recognition

• Promotional recognition in AIA communication channels
• Recipient(s) are typically invited participate in conference sessions and/or a keynote recognizing the Architecture Firm Award honor.