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AIA Houston Design Awards

Houston Chapter American Institute

Foundation Annual
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Funding Amount

Varies

Deadline

May 22, 2026

44 days left

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

AIA Houston Design Awards

Overview: An annual program recognizing design excellence in architecture across multiple categories. The awards celebrate quality design, innovative solutions, and architectural achievement.

Geographic Scope:

  • Projects located in Houston metropolitan area designed by architects registered in the US; OR

  • Projects anywhere, designed by architects registered in Texas and practicing in Houston metropolitan area

    • Focus Areas:

  • Architecture (projects >50,000 SF)

  • Architecture (projects <50,000 SF)

  • Residential Architecture

  • Interior Architecture

  • Renovation/Restoration

  • Divine Detail

  • Urban Design

  • On the Boards (unbuilt/uncompleted work)

  • Conceptual work

    • Jury Criteria:

  • Quality of design

  • Resolution of program idea

  • Sustainable responsibility

  • Innovation

  • Thoughtfulness

  • Technique

  • Alignment with AIA Framework for Design Excellence

    • Eligibility:

  • Projects must be designed by architects registered in the US (for Houston area projects) or registered in Texas (for projects anywhere)

  • Built projects must have been completed after August 1, 2021 (except Urban Design category)

  • On phased projects, only completed phases are eligible

  • All design participants must be credited on entry form

  • Pre-existing architectural elements designed by other architects should be identified

  • Student submissions welcome with faculty sponsor

    • What's Considered:

  • LEED, AIA COTE guidelines, or other demonstrable environmental responses

  • Sustainability, resilience, performance, community impact, exploration

  • AIA Framework for Design Excellence

    • Contact: AIA Houston | 902 Commerce St, Houston, TX 77002 | Phone: +1 713 520 0155

    How to Apply

    Registration and Submission

    Submission Deadline: Friday, May 22, 2026 at 5:00 PM CST

    Registration Fees:

  • AIA Member Entry: $195

  • Non-Member Entry: $650

  • Divine Detail Entry: $95

  • Student Entry: $50

    • Registration: Submit via AIA Houston Design Awards registration form (https://architecturehouston.org/event/2026-design-awards-registration/)

    Submission Requirements

    Submissions must be anonymous - Your name and/or firm name should not appear anywhere except where indicated on the entry form.

    Required Materials for Each Entry

    1. Project Presentation PDF
    - Format: 11 x 8.5 inches, horizontal (landscape) orientation
    - Maximum: 20 pages
    - PDF file only

    2. Slide 1 - Title Slide (Must include):
    - One photo of the project
    - Project title
    - Project total square footage
    - Project location

    3. Slide 2 - Project Description (Must include):
    - White background
    - Project name (may include image)
    - Bullet points and/or brief paragraph
    - Maximum: 300 words
    - Include: program requirements, design solutions, sustainability/performance information

    4. One Page Addressing Design Performance/Sustainability:
    - Clearly describe how project addresses sustainability, resilience, performance, community, exploration, or other measures of design excellence
    - Alignment with AIA Framework for Design Excellence

    5. Common App (Optional for all categories):
    - Excel-based document developed by AIA
    - Captures project performance metrics
    - Standardizes awards submissions
    - Projects will NOT be penalized if not submitted or incomplete
    - Download available on submission page

    Built Project Categories

    • Architecture Greater Than 50,000 SF
    • Architecture Less Than 50,000 SF
    • Residential Architecture: Single-family houses and multi-family projects up to 20 units (larger projects submit under Architecture)
    • Interior Architecture
    • Renovation/Restoration: Restoration, renovation, rehabilitation, or adaptive reuse of existing buildings (non-integrated additions submit under Architecture)
    • Divine Detail: Recognizes architectural ingenuity in using particular material, detail, or building technology

    Unbuilt Project Categories

    • Urban Design: Must have active client. May include planning programs, civic improvements, environmental programs, redevelopment projects. Portions must be under implementation. Project Description must include implementation schedule.
    • On The Boards: For unrealized or uncompleted work for an active client
    • Conceptual: For conceptual work without an active client

    Special Notes

    • Jury may move a project to different category
    • AIA Houston reserves right to disqualify entries not submitted in accordance with rules
    • For additions, clearly delineate new work from pre-existing architecture
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