Call for submissions: Project-based AIA awards

New common submission form streamlines process for premiere architecture awards.

WASHINGTON – October 22, 2024 – The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has opened the call for submissions for 12 project-based award programs. The following 12 awards are open for submissions:

  • AIA/ALA Library Building Award: Honoring the best in library architecture and design

  • Architecture Award: Celebrating the best contemporary architecture regardless of budget, size, style, or type—highlighting the many ways buildings and spaces can improve our lives.

  • Healthcare Design Award: Recognizing innovative projects in health care design and planning from hospitals to outpatient centers, community clinics, and wellness facilities.

  • Collaborative Achievement Award: Recognizing the achievements of allied professionals and architect teams that have advanced the architectural profession.

  • COTE® Top Ten Award: Recognizing innovative projects integrating exemplary performance with compelling design.

  • Design for Aging Review Award: Recognizing architects who demonstrate innovative design solutions to improve the quality of life for older adults within specific project constraints.

  • Education Facility Design Award: Celebrating state-of-the-art learning environments, including early childhood, K-12, alternative, higher education, non-traditional learning environments, and more.

  • Housing Award: Recognizing the best in home design—showcasing how beauty, safety, sustainability, and comfort can come together.

  • Interior Architecture Award: Celebrating the most innovative and spectacular interior spaces across a range of projects.

  • Justice Facilities Review Award: Recognizing best practices in planning and design for buildings that directly support the justice system.

  • Regional & Urban Design Award: Recognizing the best in urban design, regional and city planning, and community development.

  • Small Project Award: Raising public awareness of the value and design excellence that architects provide regardless of the limits of size and budget.

AIA Awards, the ultimate acknowledgement of impactful, exemplary work in architecture, is launching a new application process for 2025 awards. AIA is streamlining its award submission timeline and improving the submission process by implementing a common submission form for all project-based AIA awards. The common submission form will offer a more cohesive and user-friendly experience for applicants and allow project-based submissions for multiple categories in a single application. This approach reduces the administrative burden on both applicants and the AIA. Additional benefits from the improved AIA award submission process include:

  • Improving the jury experience: A consolidated submission enables AIA to implement standardized submission criteria and evaluation metrics across all award categories. This consistency ensures each submission is judged fairly and thoroughly, upholding the high standards of excellence that the AIA awards represent.

  • Increasing submission pool: By streamlining the process and setting a unified deadline for all project-based awards, architects and firms can plan their submissions more effectively, ensuring that they have ample time to prepare and present their best work.

  • Honoring the winners: By aligning the announcement and presentation of all award categories, AIA can create a more impactful and memorable event honoring award recipients at the AIA Award Gala. This unified celebration highlights the diverse achievements in architecture, fostering a sense of unity and pride within the profession.

Learn more about the awards and apply.