AIA California Design Awards - Climate Action Awards

Purpose: Recognize and honor the highest level of architectural design that addresses climate change and meets rigorous environmental performance standards.

Award Levels:

• Climate Action Awards - Highest-level design award; requires strong, holistic consideration of sustainability across multiple areas
• Honor Awards - Explicitly incorporates performance/sustainability principles effectively in at least one area
• Merit Awards - Minimally compliant with basic but complete performance/sustainability considerations
• Special Commendations - Recognition for design excellence in one specific principle from the AIA Framework for Design Excellence

Eligibility Requirements:

• Architectural projects within California (some projects outside CA considered)
• Projects must meet minimum sustainability standards
• Climate Action Award projects must score at least 4 in technical review
• Must submit performance metrics and sustainability data

Evaluation Criteria:

• Energy efficiency
• Water management
• Materials
• Health and wellness
• Ecology
• Resilience
• Compliance with AIA Framework for Design Excellence

Process:

• Technical review by panel of experts using Common App metrics
• Jury evaluation (typically 4 jurors: 2 out-of-state architects, 2 in-state architects, 1 non-architect/engineer)
• Required submittal of performance data via Common App (national standard form)

Resources Provided:

• Common App submittal form
• Energy Use Intensity (EUI) calculators
• Title 24 conversion tools
• Climate action webinars
• Educational materials on sustainable design metrics

Geographic Scope: California-based projects (some national consideration)

Contact Information:

• Email: trothman@aiacalifornia.org
• Phone: 916.642.1718
• Organization: American Institute of Architects California
• Address: 1931 H Street, Sacramento, CA 95811
• Website: aiacalifornia.org/design-awards/

Recent Winners (2022):

• Atherton Library (WRNS Studio)
• Harvey B. Milk Terminal 1 (Woods Bagot / ED2 International / HKS / KYA / Gensler / Kuth Ranieri)
• The Prow (Aidlin Darling Design)

Application Process

Common App Submittal:

1. Complete the AIA Common App form (developed by national AIA COTE)
2. Submit performance metrics including:
   • Site Energy Use Intensity (EUI)
   • Water usage data
   • Materials information
   • Health and wellness strategies
   • Ecological considerations
   • Resilience measures
3. Provide project narratives addressing sustainability strategies
4. Include project documentation and images

Metrics and Documentation:

• Use Common App calculator for energy metrics
• For projects without energy modeling: provide Title 24 report data
• Document all performance/sustainability strategies
• Technical reviewers will evaluate submissions independently

Resources Available:

• AIA California website: https://aiacalifornia.org/design-awards/
• EUI explanation and calculators: https://aiacalifornia.org/operating-energy-metrics/
• Common App webinar video available on awards page
• Educational materials: https://aiacalifornia.org/what-you-can-do-now/
• Climate action webinars: https://aiacalifornia.org/climate-action-webinars/

Evaluation Stages:

1. Technical Review: Submissions scored 1-5 by three independent experts based on sustainability criteria
2. Jury Review: Four-person jury reviews technical scores and project submissions
3. Award Selection: Juries select winners across four award levels based on aesthetic design and performance