Design Excellence Awards

Purpose:

AIA Chicago’s Design Excellence Awards honor the outstanding work of AIA Chicago members and their firms, reinforce the value of great architecture, and highlight members’ contributions in designing equitable and sustainable places and spaces.

Design Excellence Awards Categories:

• Architecture XS: Max 5,000 SF
  Examples: Additions, Pavilions, Homes, Bridges, Street Furniture, Shops.
• Architecture S: Max 20,000 SF
  Examples: Homes, Commercial, Libraries, Religious Institutions, Community Centers
• Architecture M: Max 200,000 SF
  Examples: MultiFamily residential, Museums, K-12 Schools, University, Courthouse
• Architecture L: Max 750,000 SF
  Examples: Mid-to-Highrise, Museums, Hospitality, Healthcare, Resorts
• Architecture XL: 750,000+ SF
  Examples: Supertall, Convention Centers, Airports, Stadiums, Urban Planning

• Interior Architecture S: Max 2,500 SF
  Examples: Storefront, Kiosk, Residential, Exhibitions, Renovations
• Interior Architecture M: Max 20,000 SF
  Examples: Commercial, Residential, Healthcare, Hospitality
• Interior Architecture L: 20,000+ SF
  Examples: Hospitality, Healthcare, Government, Headquarters, Education

Eligibility:

• Projects must be designed by registered architects.
• Entries must be submitted by architecture firms with at least one AIA Chicago member. Projects may be located anywhere in the world.
• Projects located within the Chicago metropolitan area but designed by AIA members based outside Chicago may also be submitted.
• All entrants, including all involved architectural team members, must be able to answer ‘Yes’ to the AIA's Unpaid Labor Declaration established by national AIA. See the online submission form for details. Exemptions are noted for students and other types of Pro Bono work.
• All AIA member entrants must be able to answer ‘Yes’ and affirm abidance to the national AIA's Code of Ethics & Professional Conduct (2024). See the online submission form for details.
• All firms submitting to the 2026 Design Excellence Awards must have signed the AIA 2030 Commitment. By joining the 2030 Commitment, you are asserting your firm’s commitment to energy performance and adapting your practice to stand behind that value.
  • To join the 2030 Commitment, register your firm through the Design Data Exchange (DDx). The registration will ask you to upload a Commitment letter signed by your firm’s leadership (template is provided on the DDx registration site). https://2030ddx.aia.org/registerFirm
• All firms submitting to the 2026 Design Excellence Awards, except for Architecture XS and Interior Architecture Small, are required to be up to date with project reporting to the Firm Portfolio in the 2030 Design Data Exchange (DDx) at the time of submission. It is suggested, but not required, that the submitted project be included in the Firm Portfolio.
• Built projects must be completed in the last five years (May, 2021–May, 2026). Built projects are defined as having obtained an occupancy permit or certified as Substantially Complete.
• Firms are encouraged to re-enter projects that have not previously won an award from AIA Chicago. Projects that have received an AIA Chicago Award for either Design Excellence or Small Projects in previous years are not eligible for another award.

The 2026 AIA Chicago Design Excellence Awards honor outstanding work by AIA Chicago and AIA member architects. These awards celebrate design excellence in all forms—regardless of budget, size, style, or project type—and recognize projects that positively contribute to their communities.

Each entry is evaluated on its own merit, not in competition with other submissions. Jurors consider how well a project meets its specific goals while clearly expressing its vision.

Evaluation Criteria

Jurors will take a holistic approach to reviewing each project, considering the following:

• Physical Organization & Form: How well does the project convey its vision through organization, form, composition, and attention to detail?
• Response to Context: How effectively does the project reflect its program, site, geography, or urban surroundings?
• Innovation & Originality: How does the project demonstrate originality in its concept, process, materials, systems, or implementation?
• Environmental & Social Awareness: How does the project exemplify environmental responsibility and social impact while fulfilling its intended purpose?

Recognition may include:

• Potential to win Honor or Citation of Merit
• 3 complimentary printed certificates to display in your office and/or distribute to team members
• Recognition on AIA Chicago's communication channels
• Acknowledgment on stage at Designight 2026 
• Complimentary tickets to Designight
• Consideration for media outreach to local and national outlets