AIA Top Ten for Students

A student competition launched in 2015 in partnership with the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA). The program encourages future architects to take an integrated approach to design that protects and enhances the environment.

Geographic Scope: National (United States) - 74 schools in 45 states participate

Focus Areas:

• Sustainable design
• Environmental protection and enhancement
• Design excellence
• Integrated design approach
• Climate action
• Innovation in student design

Eligibility:

• Architecture students at participating schools (74 schools in 45 states)
• Part of accredited architecture programs
• Student design projects/studios

What They Fund:

• Recognition and prestige for student work
• Platform for showcasing student design excellence
• Mentorship and professional guidance
• Exposure to industry standards and practices

Participation & Scale:

• 74 participating schools across 45 states
• Over 5,000 students participating
• Growing engagement year over year
• Encourages next generation to integrate environmental performance into design thinking

Background:

• Partnership between AIA COTE and ACSA
• Launched 2015
• Part of broader effort to integrate sustainability into architecture education
• Mirrors professional AIA COTE Top Ten Award
• Builds foundation for sustainable design practice among emerging architects

Application Process

• Students participate through their school's participation in the program
• Submit design projects through school
• Projects evaluated based on sustainability criteria and design excellence
• Judging follows similar framework to professional COTE Top Ten Award
• Student work showcased and recognized

Note: Specific submission deadlines and detailed requirements not provided in source material. Contact your school's architecture program or AIA COTE for submission details.