AIA/ACSA Topaz Medallion for Architectural Education

This program is open to living individuals with at least a decade of experience in architectural education, primarily in North America. 

Nomination

Colleagues, students, and former students may submit nominations. Ideally the nominator should be someone that knows the candidate well and can speak knowledgeably and critically about their accomplishments.

Nominator responsibilities

Nominators support the candidates as they prepare their submission and are required to write a letter of support for the candidate which summarizes their contributions and introduces the portfolio.

Nominators also assist the candidate by acting as a point of contact for the reference writers and providing guidance as needed.

Restrictions & Exceptions 

Chapter 11 of the publicly posted AIA Rules of the Board (12/2024 ed.) state the following restrictions and exceptions to applicant, nominator, and letter of reference writer eligibility: 

• "National Officers, Officers-Elect, Directors, and Directors-Elect are not eligible to be nominated for any AIA Honors or Awards described in these Rules where they personally would be a recipient. ... Nothing in this section shall prevent AIA leadership from applying for Fellowship, Honorary Fellowship, or Honorary Membership."
• "AIA staff, National Officers, Officers-elect, and members of the Board, or Strategic Council are prohibited from campaigning on behalf of, nominating, sponsoring, or serving as a reference for candidates of any AIA Honors or Awards described in these Rules."
• "Jurors are prohibited from campaigning on behalf of, nominating, sponsoring, or serving as a reference for candidates of their respective programs until three (3) years after their end date of service."

Fee: There isno fee for this program.

2026 Deadline

Submissions are due by 5pm ET Thursday August 7, 2025. All materials must be submitted via the online application portal (i.e., cannot be accepted via email, phone, shared online drive, fax, post, etc.) by the prescribed deadline(s): deadline extension or exception requests will not be granted. Applicants and interested parties are encouraged to seek award assistance well in advance of application deadlines to minimize the risk for ineligibility and/or application noncompliance rendering the entry removed from review.      

Formatting Requirements

For information on templates for required uploaded forms (e.g., Image Release Form, Application Release Form, Copyright Information File), and information on format of portfolio document (e.g., page size / orientation standards), or addressing letters of recommendation, please visit the AIA Awards FAQs webpage. 

Applications that do not conform to the program's formatting requirements for uploaded materials (e.g., required forms, letters of reference, and portfolio documents) are subject to automatic disqualification. AIA does not accept release forms with altered terms. 

Application Components
Extensive information on the materials required to submit an application is housed in the AIA online application portal. Please reference the information in this portal when the program is receiving materials for the 2026 season.

Review Criteria

Candidates are evaluated based on how their contributions have:

• Affected a wide range of students.
• Addressed the future of architecture while honoring its tradition.
• Transcended or united specific areas of expertise.
• Become widely known for their quality by architects, designers, educators, and the public.
• AIA Values
  Throughout the submission, you are encouraged to highlight any aspects of the candidate’s work or life experience that may have reflected contributions or sensitivity concerning areas of special interest to AIA, its members, and the architecture profession, including but not limited to the Public Policies and Position Statements of the AIA. These might include such areas as diversity, sustainability, or the mentoring of emerging professionals, to the degree the candidate has had the opportunity to address them, or as these topics may enhance the presentation.
• AIA Framework for Design Excellence
  While Topaz Award submissions are not required to fit comprehensively within the framework principles, you are strongly encouraged to consider your submission materials in this context. For additional information visit the AIA Framework for Design Excellence.

Recognition for this program typically includes the following elements but may be subject to change. Recipients will receive additional information about this cycle’s recognition benefits with their selection notification.

• Public recognition at the ACSA Annual Meeting.
• Promotional recognition in AIA and ACSA communication channels. 
• 
  Invitation for the recipient or a recipient representative to attend selected Honors & Awards event celebrations, commonly held during the annual AIA Conference on Architecture & Design.

2025: Thomas Fisher, Assoc. AIA

2024: Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk, FAIA

2023: Dr. Sharon Egretta Sutton, FAIA

For previous recipients please contact AIA Archives.