Award for Excellence in Public Architecture

The AIA Award for Excellence in Public Architecture is open to candidates who fit into at least one of three available categories. If a candidate’s experience is relevant to multiple categories, candidates should select the category that supports the stronger case for selection.
 

• Category One: U.S. licensed, private sector architects with a portfolio of public facilities
• Category Two: U.S. licensed, public service architects
• Category Three: Public officials or other individuals

Nomination

Candidates are welcome to proactively secure an eligible nominator in order to self-apply. Nominators are welcome to identify and put forward candidates. Nominators putting forward a candidate(s) that otherwise would not self-apply should coordinate closely with that individual to ensure the candidate is fully willing and able to participate in all application proceedings within the required formats and timelines. 

AIA members in good standing, AIA Components, and AIA Knowledge Communities may make nominations for the Award for Excellence in Public Architecture.

Nominator responsibilities

All individuals acting as a candidate nominator must affirm that neither they nor their firm / organization employs unpaid intern architects, including working students. 

All nominators are required to submit a one-page letter of recommendation for the candidate. For more information on the requirements for this application component please access the online submission portal once the program is accepting materials.

Fee: There is no fee for this program.

2026 Deadline

Submissions are due by 5pm ET Thursday August 28, 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 their contributions to the field of public architecture.

Category specific evaluations include:

Category 1: For the design of architecturally distinguished public facilities 

Category 2: For the design or management of architecturally distinguished public facilities 

Category 3: For advocacy that has furthered the public's awareness and/or appreciation of design excellence.

• AIA Values
  Throughout the submission, applicants 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 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.

• Promotional recognition in AIA communication channels.
• Invitation for the recipient or a recipient representative to attend selected AIA Awards event celebrations, commonly held during the annual AIA Conference on Architecture.

2025:Kelly Hayes-McAlonie, FAIA

2024:Paula Loomis, FAIA

2023: David M. Powell, FAIA

For previous recipients please contact AIA Archives.