Dunelands, dSPACE

Divine Detail Award

The Divine Detail Award aims to recognize instances where architectural theory is translated into artistic expression, emphasizing the interplay between design and craftsmanship. Submissions should demonstrate how details enhance the project's design concept through craftsmanship, technology, and/or material choices. Examples of “divine details” include, but are not limited to:

Innovative use of technology to create visually striking elements or solve structural challenges
Meticulous craftsmanship evident in ornamentation, or lack thereof
Seamless integration of sustainable materials into the design

Each submission should highlight how these details contribute to the overall architectural vision and elevate the project's aesthetic and/or functional qualities.

Award Information

Submissions open: Week of May 4, 2026

Submissions close: Friday, June 12, 2026, 5:00 PM central

Submission fee:
AIA Members with 11+ employees: $250
AIA Members with 10 or fewer employees: $200 (20% fee reduction)

Submit

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.

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
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.

Application Requirements:

Includes standard submission information for AIA Chicago Awards (not visible to the jury), as well as the following:

Project Name
Project Completion Date

Narrative Responses (Submission Texts):

Project Overview
Describe the Challenges and Resolutions to Achieve Client/Design Goals
Explain the Unique Design Features and Originality of the Design
How this detail may or may not improve upon the sustainability of the overall project
How this submission incorporates innovative technology and materials
How this project executes meticulous craftsmanship and an overarching attention to detail

Image Attachment Upload:

Submit one (1) PDF file, no larger than 15 MB and up to 15 pages in length.

This file should include a minimum of 8 and a maximum of 17 images (e.g., drawings, renderings, or photographs) that best communicate the project, with NO IDENTIFYING FIRM INFORMATION.

The dimensions of the file should be 11" W by 8.5" H. Each image should be on its own page; collaged slides are allowed but may be harder for the jury to review digitally.

Images should contextualize the project within its environment, showcasing its design process and conceptual development while telling the story of how it creatively addresses social, cultural, environmental, and technological opportunities and challenges.

Image 1: Promotional Image, to be used by AIA Chicago for marketing purposes
Image 2: Overall Image of the Project for Context
Image 3: Site plan and floor plan as appropriate to the project, including North arrow
and graphic scale, are required
Image 4: Drawing of the detail. This can be an axonometric, section, plan, or elevation.
Image 5: Drawing of the detail. This can be an axonometric, section, plan, or elevation.
Image 6 - 15: As required below:
- One photograph showing each exposed side of the building or environment must
  be included.
- Images/Drawings to show context, special considerations, and innovative design.

Each image must include a title (10 words or less) and a caption (50 words or less) in Helvetica or Arial, size 11 or 12.

The 2026 AIA Chicago Honors & Awards Committee, led by Sara Beardsley, FAIA, with members Eve Fineman, Assoc. AIA, and Daniel Gillen, AIA. assembled juries from a pool of qualified candidates that are AIA members from outside the Chicagoland area. Jurors will evaluate projects anonymously without access to the firm name, relying solely on Round 1 submitted materials. See juror profiles below.

Evaluation Criteria

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

Architectural Philosophy: How well do the intricate details of the project embody the guiding architectural philosophy, translating it into artistic expression?
Design Thinking & Intent: How effectively do the details in the submission showcase the intentional integration of architectural design and craftsmanship?
Innovation & Creativity: How effectively does the submission utilize innovative technology and materials to both create visually striking elements and address structural challenges, pushing the boundaries of traditional architectural design?
Craftsmanship & Execution: How and where does the submission demonstrate meticulous craftsmanship, showcasing attention to detail, precision, quality execution, and a high level of skill and artistry?
Architectural Vision: How effectively do the submission details contribute to the overall architectural vision of the project, enhancing its aesthetic appeal and/or functional qualities?

2026 Jury

Sean Flaharty, AIA
Principal, Arcturis | Square Feet Studio
Atlanta, Georgia

David Herron, FAIA
Principal, herron + partners
Prairie Village, Kansas

Maija Kreishman, AIA, IIDA
Senior Principal, Michael Hsu Office of Architecture
Austin, Texas

Nat Madson, AIA
Design Principal, HGA
Minneapolis, Minnesota

Adrienne Nelson, AIA, IIDA
Principal, Pickard Chilton
New Haven, Connecticut

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