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The Alston, Heidi Lightner Architects

Lerch Bates People's Choice Awards

Chicago is a city that prides itself on its extraordinary architecture. As a laboratory for innovation, Chicago’s architects never tire in their quest of creating beautiful and innovative masterpieces; buildings that contribute not just to our iconic skyline, but to the quality of life for its citizens. The winners are selected by the public in open voting round from the finalists’ designs chosen by Chicago Architecture Center’s Docents and Volunteers in a round one jury review from projects submitted during AIA Chicago’s Design Excellence Awards.

These awards are sponsored by Lerch Bates and presented in partnership with the Chicago Architecture Center.

Award Information

Submissions open: Week of May 4, 2026

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

Submission fee: $75, in addition to the submission fee to the Design Excellence Awards

Submit through Design Excellence Awards
View 2025 Recipients
View 2024 Recipients
View 2023 Recipients

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