Membership in AIA Chicago is required. Successor firms may be considered if the collective body of work presented is that of most of the remaining principals. While the jury will examine the entire history of the firm, close attention will be given to the work of the past ten (10) years. Past award winning firms are eligible to reapply after 10 years.

Eligible firms must:

1. Have not won the Firm Award in past 10 years
2. Be an AIA 2030 Signatory
3. Abide by AIA's Unpaid Labor Declaration
4. Abide by AIA's Code of Ethics & Professional Conduct (2024)
5. Abide by Indemnification of AIA Chicago
6. Abide by Confirmation of Compliance with AIA Chicago’s Rules and Regulations

1. General Information
   • Primary Contact: Full name, email address, and phone number
   • Firm Information: Name, address, and year founded
   • AIA’s Unpaid Labor Declaration (confirmation required)
   • AIA Code of Ethics & Professional Conduct (2024) (confirmation required)
2. Firm Demographics & Staff Details
   • Total number of staff in the Chicago office
   • Number of licensed architects, architecture program graduates, fellows, administrative professionals, and other staff
   • Demographic data (percentages for racial/ethnic categories, gender identity, leadership diversity)
3. Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Practices
   • Confirmation of written EDI policies (if applicable)
   • Participation in AIA Chicago programs (e.g., Bridge Mentorship, Transform Leadership, KC Leadership, etc.)
   • Firm involvement in AIA Chicago activities, sponsorships, and events
4. Firm Practices and Philosophy
   • Mentorship & Professional Development: Description of strategies and leadership preparation
   • Design Philosophy: Approach to collaboration and project delivery
   • Firm Culture: Key qualities, values, and defining characteristics
5. Sustainability Practices
   • AIA 2030 Commitment status
   • Existence of a Sustainability Action Plan and DDx reporting status
   • Number of staff with sustainability-related certifications (e.g., LEED, WELL, LFA)
   • Firm’s sustainability initiatives and practices
6.  Advocacy and Community Engagement
   • Description of how the firm promotes the role of architecture to the public
   • Confirmation of pro bono work and volunteer support for non-profits
7.  Submission PDF Upload (Max 13 pages, 13 MB)
   • Project Images (pages 1 - 10): Including project names, narratives, and photo credits (no limit on photo count per-page)
   • Firm Achievements (1 page each):
     • Honors and awards (page 11, if applicable)
     • Public lectures and presentations (page 12, if applicable)
     • Publications by or about the firm (page 13, if applicable)
8.  Verification & Signatures
   • Electronic signatures from:
     • The individual submitting the application
     • A principal responsible for the submission content
   • Verification of eligibility and copyright permissions
     
9.  Additional Declarations
   • Confirmation of Compliance with award rules and eligibility
   • Indemnification and release statements

The AIA Chicago Honors & Awards Committee seeks to assemble a Firm Award jury from among the following criteria:

• A representative from the previous year’s award-winning firm
• A representative from the most recent AIA National Firm Award-winning firm
• Two to three leaders from firms that have won the AIA Chicago Firm Award in the past ten years
• A respected academic in architecture at the university level
• A jury that represents a broad spectrum of expertise, perspectives, and backgrounds within the profession

How does the jury process work?

The jury meets in isolation to review and deliberate on submissions. Members of the Honors & Awards Committee do not participate in these discussions. AIA Chicago staff is present to facilitate the meeting and clarify procedural questions but does not vote or influence the decision. The jury's selection remains confidential until the winner has been notified, and it is formally announced to all members at the same time—ensuring a fair and transparent process.

For the Firm Award, the evaluation criteria will focus on the following criteria and essential questions. Evaluation involves assessing how well each firm aligns with the criteria provided and the extent to which they demonstrate excellence in these key areas.

Criteria:

1. Body of Work: How is the firm's excellence reflected in its body of work over the past decade across various aspects including design quality, project diversity, sustainability efforts, technical proficiency, client satisfaction, innovation, and/ or impact on the built environment?
2. Contribution to Advancement of the Architectural Profession: How has the firm contributed to the advancement of the architectural profession in the areas of design, research, planning, technology, and architectural practice, and participation in AIA Chicago?
3. Distinctive Characteristics and Operations (Firm Personality): How is this firm distinctive in its characteristics, personality, or its operations?
4. Overall Impact and Legacy: How impactful are the firm's achievements across a spectrum of areas, including but not limited to awards and recognitions received, community engagement efforts, sustainability initiatives, technological innovations, professional development activities, industry leadership, and/ or media coverage?

All projects will be evaluated by a jury comprised of representatives from past Firm Award recipients, and other peers operating across the country. The jury will have full knowledge of the firms submitting them. Firm information will be made available to the jury, ensuring transparency and accountability.

Recognition may include:

• Recognition on AIA Chicago's communication channels
• Potential feature on the cover of Chicago Architect magazine with a feature story
• Acknowledgment on stage at Designight 2026
• Consideration for media outreach to local outlets