2026 Design Awards
The AIA Houston Design Awards program recognizes design excellence in architecture, residential architecture, interior architecture, restoration/renovation, divine detail, urban design, on the boards, and conceptual. Criteria to be used by the jury include quality of design, resolution of the program idea, sustainable responsibility, innovation, thoughtfulness, and technique.
Design awards submittal, all required documents, and registration fee(s) are due no later than Friday, May 22, 2026 at 5:00PM CST.
Registration Fees:
- AIA Member Entry: $195
- Non-Member Entry: $650
- Divine Detail Entry: $95
- Student Entry: $50
Please submit your registration fee via the AIA Houston Design Awards registration form. If hyperlink does not work, copy and paste the following link into your preferred web browser: https://architecturehouston.org/event/2026-design-awards-registration/
ELIGIBILITY
Projects located in the Houston metropolitan area designed by an architect registered in the US; or projects, regardless of location, designed by an architect registered in Texas practicing in the Houston metropolitan area.
Built projects must have been completed after August 1, 2021, except for special requirements in the Urban Design category. On projects where construction is phased, only completed phases are eligible. Where one firm is not the sole author, all participants in the design work must be credited on the entry form.
If there are architectural elements that were pre-existing on the project and designed by another architect, that architect should be identified on the entry form. For instance, an addition to an existing building should identify the architect of the existing building where practicable and should clearly delineate for the jurors the addition from what existed before the project.
AIA Houston reserves the right to disqualify any entry not submitted in accordance with the rules.
COMMON APP QUESTIONNAIRE (Optional for all project categories)
The Common App is an Excel-based document developed by AIA to capture project performance metrics and help standardize awards submissions across AIA components.
We care deeply about sustainability, resilience, performance, community impact, inclusiveness, and design exploration, and fully support AIA National’s Framework for Design Excellence. At the same time, we recognize that the Common App format does not always effectively capture the full story of every project or reflect the way many teams communicate design thinking.
For that reason, the Common App will be optional for all submissions this year. However, all entries will be required to include at least one slide that clearly describes how the project addresses sustainability, resilience, performance, community, exploration, or other measures of design excellence in alignment with the AIA Framework for Design Excellence. Ultimately, this will allow teams to present this information in a way that is more narrative, visual, and integrated with the rest of their submission.
If you choose to complete the Common App, please fill it out to the best of your ability. Projects will not be penalized if the Common App is not submitted or is incomplete.
Download the Common App HERE.
CATEGORIES
Built Projects
Built projects may be submitted for recognition in the following categories. The jury may move a project to a different category. LEED, AIA COTE guidelines, or other demonstrable environmental responses should be included with each entry and will be considered in judging.
- Architecture Greater Than 50,000 SF
- Architecture Less Than 50,000 SF
- Residential Architecture: Residential projects include single-family houses and multi-family projects up to 20 units. Large-scale apartment or condominium projects must be submitted under Architecture.
- Interior Architecture
- Renovation/Restoration: Restoration, renovation, or rehabilitation of existing buildings including adaptive reuse. A non-integrated addition to an existing building should be submitted under Architecture.
- Divine Detail: Recognizes architectural ingenuity in using a particular material, detail, or building technology.
Unbuilt Projects
- Urban Design: Urban Design projects must have an active client. Submittals may include urban design projects, planning programs, civic improvements, environmental programs, and redevelopment projects. Portions of the project must be under implementation; however, the whole project need not be completed. The Project Description must include the implementation schedule.
- On The Boards: This category is for unrealized or uncompleted work for an active client.
- Conceptual: This category is for conceptual work, not for an active client.
NOTE: Student submissions are welcome, but must have a faculty sponsor.
REQUIREMENTS
All entries must be anonymous. Your name and/or firm name should not appear anywhere except where indicated on the entry form. For every entry, please prepare the following:
1. One Project Presentation PDF
- Pages should be 11 x 8.5 inches, and oriented horizontally (landscape).
- The first slide (title slide) must include: one photo of the project, the project title, project total square footage, and project location.
- Slide two of the presentation should include the project description with bullet points and/or a brief paragraph describing the project, all on a white back background.
- The narrative must describe the project in no more than 300 words. Include program requirements, design solutions, and information supporting objectives such as sustainability, energy-efficient performance, etc. This slide should include the project name; it may also include an image.
- A PDF file containing a maximum of 20 pages, with one page addressing design performance/sustainability. Submittals may not contain transitions, sound, animation, video clips, panorama movies, hyperlinks, or links to other files. Images must be a minimum of 150 DPI.
- Pre-existing architectural elements not designed as part of the project, but visible in the images, should be clearly marked as pre-existing and the prior architect should be credited.
- All projects (except Interior Architecture) must include a site plan or aerial photography.
- All plans and elevations should be clearly marked with a north arrow or directional identification.
- For Renovation/Restoration projects, indicate pre-existing conditions with plans and/or photographs.
- For Interior Architecture projects, include floor plans and one exterior photograph of the building for reference.
- The presentation will be shown via Adobe Acrobat with enhanced thin-line OFF
- Do not identify architects, designers, or firms in the file name or on any image. File name should include award year, project name, and "ProjectPresentation", e.g. 2026_ProjectName_ProjectPresentation.pdf.
2. One Project Image
- A 7"x5", 250 DPI image. The image will be used for publication materials.
- Do not identify architects, designers, or firms in the file name or on any image. File name should include award year, project name, and "ImageForPub", e.g. 2026_ProjectName_ImageForPub.jpeg.
3. One Common App Questionnaire: Download here.
- Do not identify architects, designers, or firms in the file name. File name should include award year, project name, and "CommonApp", e.g. 2026_ProjectName_CommonApp.xlsx.
Overview
The Emerging Professional Friendly Firm initiative is an award-based program aimed at celebrating firms that create nurturing environments and professional development opportunities for emerging professionals. Interested firms submit one application, completed by both a principal / senior leader and an emerging professional employee. The application includes survey questions intended to facilitate a discussion within the firm and provide a catalyst for future conversations between emerging professionals and firm leaders regarding the working environment at the firm. Initiatives, policies and opportunities that the firm offers improve the experience and success of emerging professionals, with potential to increase employee retention rates, firm exposure and talent recruitment.
The program is open to firms with one or more employees (recognition will not be given to sole practitioners). The program is designed to facilitate recognition to firms of all sizes.
Application Materials & Survey
The survey must be completed in a joint manner between a member of firm leadership and an emerging professional employed by the firm. The submitting team will need to provide their contact information for corroboration by AIA Houston and follow up by the jurors. It is recommended HR professionals do not fill out the survey, though they may be consulted during the process. To ensure the process is easier, please take a look at the preview of the materials and prepare your answers ahead of time.
There is no fee to apply, only your firm’s dedication to this effort.
Evaluations & Results
Firms will be evaluated by scoring the questionnaire.
Results will be published in an aggregate manner on the AIA Houston website. It is suggested that results be reviewed by submitting firms in order to identify possible areas of improvement. Recognition Categories
Firms that meet the threshold for recognition as an EP Friendly Firm will be recognized at the 2026 Houston's Design Gala and on the AIA Houston’s program webpage.
EPIC Firm will be awarded to the highest performing firms. These firms have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to developing their emerging professional staff. At juror’s discretion.
Contact
Aleks Savitski, AIA Staff at aleks@aiahouston.org
Clint Stanford, AIA Houston Emerging Professionals Committee – Co- Chair 2026
Davone Morgan, AIA Houston Emerging Professionals Committee Co-Chair 2026
Javier E. Guerrero, Assoc. AIA – AIA Houston Board of Directors
Frequently Asked Questions
“What is an Emerging Professional?” – a diverse group of individuals who are recently licensed or moving along various points on the path to licensure. This includes students, recent graduates, candidates on the path of licensure, and architects licensed 10 years or less.
“Which employees qualify as emerging professionals?” – Includes full-time, part-time and current temporary staff such as interns.
“What types of firms are eligible to participate?” – The program is open to firms with one or more employees. Studios located in Houston that are part of larger firms are welcome to apply.
“What area does this program cover?” – The program encompasses the geographic region for AIA Houston. We invite our neighboring unstaffed Texas chapters to apply as an EP Friendly Firm.
MORE INFO ABOUT THE PROGRAM HERE.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: MARCH 20 AT 5PM
To begin your 2026 Emerging Professionals Friendly Firm survey, click HERE
IMPORTANT: Please submit the entry form (below) after you have completed your 2026 EP Friendly Firm Survey.
Named in honor of Ben Brewer, FAIA, for distinguished service to the profession and his significant influence on young professionals. This award recognizes excellence in ability, exceptional work, and significant contributions in the practice of architecture by architects who are in their first 10 years of practice.*
The Award will be given for exceptional work and general excellence in the practice of architecture. The jury will consider contributions to team activities as well as individual efforts in its evaluative process. The Award is intended to recognize accomplishment rather than promise alone.
The range of activities for which an individual may be considered includes, but is not limited to: design, education, service to the profession, public service, historic preservation, research, urban design, government, industry, or architectural practice.
Nominations may be made by any AIA Houston member or firm. Nominees must be members of AIA Houston and may be in practice alone or in association with others.
*Previously, only architects who had been licensed for fewer than 10 years were eligible. Now, the award is open to individuals who have been licensed for fewer than 120 months, and the months need not be consecutive. This adjustment reflects a recognition that many in our profession take time away from practice during the initial stage of their career for differing reasons, including to bear and raise children. The change allows AIAH to recognize individuals who may be more than 10 years out of architecture school, but who have been in practice for fewer than 10 years.
Call for nominations are due on or before April 3, 2026
A nomination consists of:
- A brief biography of the nominee including the date of licensure, no more than three typewritten pages.
- A listing and description of the nominee’s accomplishments, no more than three typewritten pages.
- Letters of recommendation from at least three (3) individuals who are familiar with the nominee in the particular capacity for which the Award is recommended. These letters should state why this candidate should be considered for the Award and refer to his/her accomplishments. Letters from clients, consultants, and civic leaders are encouraged.
- A portfolio containing detailed documentation of representative work in which the candidate was involved. The jury will consider contributions to team activities. Documentation should consist of written materials, photographic prints, reproduction of drawings and/or any other items that will aid jurors in evaluating the candidate’s accomplishments. No models or slides will be accepted.
The winner will receive a travel stipend from the Architecture Center Houston Foundation and will be honored at the annual Houston's Design Gala on MAY 16, 2026
Submission Deadline - April 3, 2026 at 5:00PM
For more information and examples of past submissions click HERE.
The AIA Houston Firm Award is given annually to a Houston architecture firm that has consistently produced distinguished architecture for a period of at least ten years.
A firm may nominate itself.
Please note: This award will be presented at the Houston's Design Gala on May 16, 2026.
Firms submitting for this award are expected to purchase a table at the Gala to be considered.
Nominations are due on or before April 3, 2026, and must consist of:
- A brief narrative including firm history, biographical information about the principals, contributions to the profession, and contributions to the Houston community, design awards, or other recognition
- Firm brochure(s) if available
- Annotated PowerPoint or PDF presentation of major architectural projects