Architecture Award
The Architecture Award program celebrates the best contemporary architecture regardless of budget, size, style, or type—highlighting the many ways buildings and spaces can improve our lives.
For more information on opening and deadline dates, please see the AIA Awards FAQ.
Honoring the best in contemporary architecture
The Architecture program celebrates the best contemporary architecture regardless of budget, size, style, or type. These stunning projects show the world the range of outstanding work architects create and highlight the many ways buildings and spaces can improve our lives.
In 2019, AIA adopted the Framework for Design Excellence as the set of guidelines and requirements to assess project performance. Climate action requires a holistic approach addressing the interdependence among people, buildings, infrastructure, and the environment. The Framework for Design Excellence provides the elements that support this vision during project evaluation. While projects submitted do not need to address all the measures included in the framework, they do need to highlight how they perform in this context and highlight relevant narratives and metrics when applicable.
Questions? Email AIA Awards
Entrants
- Any U.S. licensed architect may enter.
- Submitting architects do not have to be the head of the team.
- Projects must credit every substantial contributor.
Projects
- New construction, renovations, and restorations are eligible.
- Projects may be located anywhere in the world but must have been designed by a U.S. licensed architect.
- Projects must have been completed since January 1, 2019.
Schedule:
For more information on opening and deadline dates, please see AIA Awards FAQ.
The jury evaluates entries based on how successfully projects have met their individual requirements. All projects must demonstrate design achievement, including a sense of place and purpose, ecology and environmental sustainability, and history.
More specifically, the jury also evaluates entries relative to the AIA Framework for Design Excellence. Submitted projects do not have to adhere to all measures but need to address several of them. Submitters are strongly encouraged to consider their submission materials in this context.
Entry fee: $500 for members and $850 for non-members
Submission process: Visit the submission site for full submission details prior to the deadline. After logging in, you may view the entire submission site, and save your submission as you work to complete it. You will not be asked to pay until your submission is complete.
A sample application can be viewed here: Architecture Award Sample Application
* Please note: Some components of the sample application are subject to change from the final version and are merely here to allow a submitter to view the major criteria prior to logging on to the awards platform. Please rely on the online awards platform for the final criteria.
2024 Jury for Architecture
The jury shall be composed of nine (9) individuals, at least six (6) of whom shall be architect members (at least one (1) of whom should be an architect member licensed less than ten (10) years). The jury shall consist of one Architecture Firm Award recipient (who shall serve as chair), one (1) past recipient who received the award no less than five (5) years previously, one (1) past recipient who received the award less than five (5) years previously, one (1) individual with restoration/preservation experience, two (2) other architect members, one (1) allied professional or client representative, an associate member, and an architecture student.
Norio Tsuchiya, AIA, Chair, Devenney Group, Ltd., Architects, Phoenix
Teonna Cooksey, Columbia Graduate School of Architecture, New York
Nolman Davis, Assoc. AIA, Eppstein Uhen Architects, Milwaukee
Collete English Dixon, Roosevelt University, Chicago
Mollica Manandhar, AIA, Payette, Boston
Jerryn McCray, AIA, Jerryn J. McCray, Architect, Baltimore
Annya Ramirez-Jimenez, AIA, Marvel Architects, New York
Yimeng Teng, AIA, Ro | Rockett Design, Los Angeles
2024 winners
Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts
Center for Human Ecology, College of the Atlantic
John A. Paulson Center at NYU
Marion Fire Station No. 1
One Vanderbilt
Princeton University Residential Colleges
San Antonio Botanical Garden
SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park
Student Success District, University of Arizona
Thaden School Performing Arts Center
The Holdsworth Center
Thurston Hall Renovation
Wagner Education Center at the Center for Wooden Boats
View all winners
Past winners
Wagner Education Center at the Center for Wooden Boats
