AIA Chicago Announces Winners of the 2026 Design Excellence Awards, Divine Detail Award, Decarbonization Award, Roberta Feldman Architecture for Social Justice Award and Lerch Bates People’s Choice Awards

Winners announced, Lifetime Achievement Award and Firm Awards bestowed at Designight 2026, AIA Chicago‘s signature award program, at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Millennium Park  on October 1, 2026

For Immediate Release
Media contact: Dan O’Connell, dan@danoconnellmedia.com, 617-480-6585 AIA Chicago Digital Media Kit

(October 2, 2026) CHICAGO – AIA Chicago, the second largest local chapter of The American Institute of Architects and the collective voice of over 3,500 licensed architects, emerging professionals, architecture students, and allied professionals, today announced the winners of the 2026 Design Excellence Awards, Divine Detail Award, Decarbonization Award and Roberta Feldman Architect for Social Justice Award and the Lerch Bates People’s Choice Awards. Winners were announced at Designight 2026, an event which honors Chicago architects’ global design achievements, held at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Millennium Park on Thursday, October 1, 2026.

“This year’s winners show what happens when a community comes together,” said AIA Chicago’s Executive Director Jen Masengarb Assoc AIA. “AIA membership is a tool for growth and learning, a place to share knowledge, sharpen our craft, and lift each other up. Our community is strong and resilient, and the work honored at Designight is proof.”

DESIGN EXCELLENCE AWARDS HONORS AND CITATIONS OF MERIT  BY CATEGORY

The Design Excellence Awards (DEA) recognize projects of all scales, from Architecture Extra Small to Extra Large, and Interior Architecture Small to Large.  The Divine Detail Award honors details that enhance the project’s design concept through craftsmanship, technology, and/or material choices.

ARCHITECTURE WINNERS

Arch XL

Arch L

CITATION OF MERIT RECIPIENTS:
360 N Green, Gensler; Sterling Bay (client), Chicago, IL
Alcove, Goettsch Partners; Giarratana LL (client), Nashville, TN
Suzhou Science and Technology Museum, Perkins&Will; Suzhou Science and Technology Museum (client), Suzhou, China

Arch M

CITATION OF MERIT RECIPIENTS:
Computer Design, Research, and Learning Center, University of Illinois Chicago, LMN + Booth Hansen; University of Illinois Chicago (client), Chicago, IL
Encuentro Square, Canopy; Evergreen Real Estate Group and LUCHA (client), Chicago, IL
Missouri University of Science and Technology Protoplex, Perkins&Will; Missouri University of Science and Technology (client), Rolla, MO
National Public Housing Museum, LBBA Architects; National Public Housing Museum (client), Chicago, IL
Portland Art Museum – Rothko Pavilion, Vinci | Hamp Architects & Hennebery Eddy Architects; Portland Art Museum (client), Portland, OR

Arch S

CITATION OF MERIT RECIPIENTS:
Judy and Stanley Frankel Detroit Observatory Addition, HED; University of Michigan (client), Ann Arbor, MI
Metra Electric District South Side Stations, GFT; Metra Commuter Rail (client), Chicago, IL
Shoreline Reflections, Robbins Architecture and Interiors; Confidential (client), Illinois
The Haven on Lincoln, Gensler; City of Chicago Department of Housing (client), Chicago, IL

Arch XS

CITATION OF MERIT RECIPIENTS:
Collector’s Cottage, dSPACE Studio; Confidential (client), Chicago, IL
Entertainment Barn, Shafer Crowe | Architecture + design; Confidential (client), Chicago, IL
Frond + Frame, Woodhouse Tinucci Architects; Anshe Emet Synagogue (client), Chicago, IL

INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE WINNERS

Interior Arch L

CITATION OF MERIT RECIPIENTS:
Confidential Law Firm, Perkins&Will; Confidential (client), Austin, TX
McGrath Family Performing Arts Center, Krueck Sexton Partners; Loyola Academy (client), Wilmette, IL
The Bell, SCB & Ste. Marie; Onni (client), Chicago, IL

Interior Arch M

CITATION OF MERIT RECIPIENTS:
House for Art Collectors Interiors, Kwong Von Glinow; Caitlin and Anthony Gonka (clients), Highland Park, IL
Secrist | Beach, Vinci | Hamp Architects, Inc.; Carrie Secrist (client), Chicago, IL

Interior Arch S

CITATION OF MERIT RECIPIENTS:
Cullerton Residence, Vladimir Radutny Architects; Heather and Nick Payne (clients), Chicago, IL
Mobile Makers Chicago, Future Firm & Maya-Bird Murphy | Mobile Makers Chicago; Mobile Makers Chicago (client), Chicago, IL

DIVINE DETAIL WINNER

CITATION OF MERIT RECIPIENTS:
Damen Green Line Station, Perkins&Will; Chicago Department of Transportation (client), Chicago, IL
Sany IROOTECH Headquarters, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM); Sany Group (client), Guangdong, Chin
Terminal 5 Garage, O’Hare International Airport, SCB; City of Chicago (client) Chicago, IL

DECARBONIZATION AWARD WINNER

AIA Chicago’s Decarbonization Award recognizes projects that have gone above and beyond base level energy reduction goals and showcases those project vanguards that exemplify the profession’s abilities to pursue the goals of the 2030 commitment while also upholding the functional and aesthetic goals of the design.

CITATION OF MERIT RECIPIENTS:
Midcentury for the Next Century, TBDA; Confidential (client), Arlington Heights, IL
The Conservatory Apartments, HED; Interfaith Housing Development Corporation (client), Chicago, IL

“The recipients of this year’s Honor Awards and Citations of Merit showcase the breadth of work AIA Chicago members do, across a range of styles, locations, and budgets,” said Kelly Moynihan, AIA, AIA Chicago President. “Good design isn’t prescriptive. It speaks to the time and place, reflects its environment, and is good for the environment.”

ROBERTA FELDMAN ARCHITECTURE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AWARD WINNERS

The Roberta Feldman Architecture for Social Justice Award, administered by the AIA Chicago Foundation, was established in 2020 to honor excellence in built projects and design programs guided by the conviction that access to high quality architecture is not a privilege, it is a human right. The award is named for Roberta Feldman, Ph.D., Professor Emerita at the University of Illinois Chicago, School of Architecture, an architectural activist and researcher committed to democratic design.

CITATION OF MERIT RECIPIENTS:
Crate Town, Claudia Ansorena & Rogelio Cadena (IIT College of Architecture); Chicago Park District (client), Chicago, IL
Revolution Workshop, Future Firm; Revolution Workshop (client), Chicago, IL

“The best design doesn’t happen without the people it’s for,” said AIA Chicago Foundation President Trish VanderBeke, AIA. “This year’s Roberta Feldman recipients brought communities into the process from the start, from urban agriculture to hands-on workforce training, and the result is architecture that opens doors as much as it gives back to the community.”

AIA CHICAGO 2026 LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

The Lifetime Achievement Award is nominated by the AIA Chicago general membership and selected by the AIA Chicago Board of Directors.   

In awarding the Lifetime Achievement Award, the AIA Chicago Board of Directors noted “There isn’t a Chicago architect, client, or industry colleague that hasn’t heard of, worked with, or been positively influenced by Lamar.”  

Previous recipients include Adrian Smith, FAIA, RIBA (2025), Linda Searl, FAIA (2024), Cynthia Weese, FAIA (2023), Ralph Johnson, FAIA, LEED AP (2022) Stuart Cohen, FAIA (2021); Phillip C. Johnson, FAIA (2020); John Syvertsen, FAIA (2019); Peter Landon, FAIA (2018); Carol Ross Barney, FAIA (2017) among many others.  

AIA CHICAGO 2026 FIRM AWARD

In making the award, the jury noted that “Studio Gang’s impact and legacy extends well beyond individual projects, encompassing global influence on sustainable design, public engagement, and the evolution of architectural practice.”

AIA CHICAGO LERCH BATES PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDS WINNERS

The fifth annual Lerch Bates People’s Choice Awards are presented in partnership with the Chicago Architecture Center whose docents chose the finalists announced on September 2nd and for whom the public could vote until 11:59 pm on Wednesday, September 16.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING

PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD FINALISTS:
Encuentro Square, Canopy; Chicago, IL
Grace Manor, JGMA; Chicago, IL
The Haven on Lincoln, Gensler; Chicago, IL

COMMUNITY & CIVIC

PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD FINALISTS:
Aspire Center for Workforce Innovation, LJC; Chicago, IL
Evanston Ecology Center, Nurture Architects; Evanston, IL
West Bund Convention Center, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM); Shanghai, China

CULTURAL & MUSEUM

PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD FINALISTS:
National Public Housing Museum, LBBA Architects; Chicago, IL
Pritzker Military Museum & Library, Jahn/; Somers, WI
Shedd Aquarium Experience Evolution Phase II, Valerio Dewalt Train; Chicago, IL

EDUCATION & RESEARCH

PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD FINALISTS:
Crow Island School, Perkins&Will; Winnetka, Illinois
Ehrman Crest Elementary and Middle School, CannonDesign; Seneca Valley PA
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Chemistry, CannonDesign; Milwaukee, WI

HEALTHCARE

PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD FINALISTS:
Beloved Community Family Wellness Addition, Converge Architecture; Chicago, IL
Northwestern Medicine Bronzeville Outpatient Center, LJC; Chicago, IL
Sankofa Village Wellness Center, Moody Nolan & Converge Architecture; Chicago, IL

HOSPITALITY & RETAIL

PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD FINALISTS:
Double Clutch Brewing Company, SCALA+MANA; Evanston, IL
Jackson Lake Lodge Restoration, Nurture Architects; Moran, WY
Millennium Park Pavilion, SCALA+MANA; Chicago, IL

MULTIFAMILY RESIDENTIAL

PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD FINALISTS:
1000M, Jahn/; Chicago, IL
7220 McDowell Mountain, Optima, Inc.; Scottsdale, AZ
Raye, SCB; Shaker Heights, OH

OFFICE

PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD FINALISTS:
Neal Gerber & Eisenberg, Gensler; Chicago, IL
RBB – Russell Burns Building, LJC; St. Louis, MO
The Bell, SCB & Ste. Marie; Chicago, IL

SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL/NEW CONSTRUCTION

PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD FINALISTS:
Lakewood Balmoral Residence, Wheeler Kearns Architects; Chicago, IL
Shoreline Reflections, Robbins Architecture and Interiors; IL
Strata House, dSPACE Studio; Avon, CO

SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL/RENOVATION/ADAPTIVE REUSE

PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD FINALISTS:
House on the Park, Studio Dwell Architects; Chicago, IL
Midcentury for the Next Century, TBDA; Arlington Heights, IL
The Lantern House, 34-Ten Architecture; Chicago, IL

“The Lerch Bates People’s Choice Awards celebrate what makes Chicago unique: a public that is deeply engaged with architecture design,” said Eleanor Esser Gorski, AIA, President and CEO of the Chicago Architecture Center. “These winners represent an extraordinary range of projects, from civic and cultural destinations to housing, education and workplace environments, demonstrating how thoughtful design can strengthen communities and improve the way we live. We are proud that Chicago Architecture Center docents and volunteers helped identify this remarkable group.”

Designight 2026

Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Millennium Park
205 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601
Thursday, October 1, 2026
6:00 PM to 7:30 PM with After Party to follow

About AIA Chicago

With a membership exceeding 3,500 individuals—including licensed architects, architectural designers, and a broad network of industry partners and students—AIA Chicago is one of the largest and most influential local chapters of The American Institute of Architects in the country. AIA Chicago’s mission builds on the city’s architectural legacy by advocating for the profession, sharing knowledge among members, and partnering with communities. The chapter fosters a culture of design excellence for equitable, sustainable places and spaces.

AIA Chicago offers lectures and continuing education courses; specialized, issue-specific Knowledge Communities; advocacy for architects; and help for consumers looking for an architect.

AIA Chicago is the local Chicago chapter of The American Institute of Architects. Based in Washington, D.C., the AIA has been the leading professional membership association for licensed architects, emerging professionals, and allied partners since 1857. Learn more by visiting AIAChicago.org.