Please review the 2026 submissions and submit the results below.

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.

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:

1. A brief biography of the nominee including the date of licensure, no more than three typewritten pages.
2. A listing and description of the nominee’s accomplishments, no more than three typewritten pages.
3. 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.
4. 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.

Applications are due on or before April 3, 2026, and must consist of:

1. A brief narrative including firm history, biographical information about the principals, contributions to the profession, contributions to the Houston community, design awards, or other recognition 
2. Firm brochure(s) if available
3. An annotated PowerPoint or PDF presentation of major architectural projects

The Latinos in Architecture (LiA) collegiate Mentorship and Scholarship program (MaS), through AIA Houston and Architecture Center Houston, intends to bridge the gap between students and professionals in the architecture community. The MaS program matches college students pursuing a career path in architecture with a mentor who has an established career in the field. The program is for students who are striving to influence the future of the built environment and the architecture profession PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY for the mentorship:

• Student pursuing a degree in architecture at the University of Houston, Rice University, or Prairie View A&M University.
• The program is open to both US citizens and foreign students.

for the scholarship:

• Students with at least one more academic year to apply scholarship funds directly towards tuition. 
• Students with full scholarships are not eligible.  

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS The 2025-2026 program starts in September 2025 and ends in May 2026.

• Regularly check in with an assigned mentor (at least 4 times). These meetings can be in-person, virtual, or via phone call. 
• ​Participate in the kick-off event, where they will meet the mentors. Kick-off will take place onSeptember 10 at 7pm. Register here.
• Participate in the portfolio review organized by the LiA Committee.
• Attend three LiA, AIAH, TSA or HNOMA sponsored events. Not including student chapters or student-led events.
• Attend their university or college career fair.
• Submit a PDF on a project or portfolio at the end of the Fall semester.
• Submit a 5-minute video on a project or portfolio at the end of the Spring semester. The video should not be a recording of a class crit and should not exceed 5 minutes.

AWARDS Students must participate in the listed activities to be considered for the scholarship. These activities are meant to support and complement the student’s academic career. 

Scholarships will be awarded based on student participation in the program, and their end-of-the semester submission will be reviewed by ajury. 

The AIA Houston Residential Committee is accepting entries for the AIA Houston Home Tour to be held November 7-8, 2026.  We seek to show the best new residential architecture by AIA members and are looking for various architectural styles.  New construction, renovations, and additions will all be considered.  

All entries must be received no later than June 8th at 5:00PM CST. 

Eligibility is limited to homes located within the Houston metropolitan area, designed by an AIA Houston Architect, and completed within the last 5 years. Homes must be substantially complete* and available for photography upon submittal.

Architects from outside the Houston area are invited to submit but will be expected to fulfill all requirements of participating architects.  

SELECTION PROCESS

As Houston grows and its urban density increases, the variety of housing options and solutions continues to expand. Consequently, location will not be a determining factor in the selection process. The tour strives to have a variety of architectural styles represented.

The criteria used to select homes for the tour will include:

                          1. Design Excellence

                          2. Quality and Craftsmanship

                          3. Innovative Design Solutions and Use of Materials

                          4. Sustainability of Design

ELIGIBLE PROJECT TYPES

• Single Family Home - projects meeting the R-3 Residential definition and permitted under the International Residential Code. May include outbuildings or ADU’s.
• Multiple Unit Residential (Condo, Apartment, Co-Op) - Custom-designed units within larger developments with unique homeowners.  Model units or showrooms may be accepted with prior approval from the AIA Houston Residential Committee.
• Alternative Residential Projects - Live/work homes with at least 50% of the space dedicated to living spaces.  Other building types with a strong residential focus and identifiable residential function may be accepted with prior approval from the AIA Houston Residential Committee.
• Remodels and Additions to the above project types 

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

1. Submittable Form: A submittal form must be completed for each house submitted and must include a 250-word description of the house.
2. Homeowner Permission: Before submitting a house, you must discuss it with and obtain approval from the homeowner. The house must be the work of registered architects who are members of AIA Houston and demonstrate the value of using an architect.
3. Eligibility: Homes are not eligible if they have been on or accepted by any other local home tour. Projects must be substantially complete, as denoted per AIA document A201*, by the date of submission. Preference will be given to furnished, occupied, and landscaped houses.
4. No Submission Limit: There is no limit to the number of home submissions that may be made. Architects or their firms must make the submission(s). Please note, there is a preference to select a single home by each architect/firm.

REQUIREMENTS FOR SELECTED ARCHITECTS

1. Photography: If your submission is selected to be included in the Home Tour, the home must be made available for photography, and the photographer will make appointments to visit each house. You may use the same photographs used in your submission, as long as they are high-quality images.
2. Sponsorship: Information regarding sponsorships will be communicated directly to selected architects.
3. Docents: The architect will be responsible for recruiting an adequate number of docents to staff the house during the tour.
4. The architect must be present at the home during the tour.

*Section 9.8.1 of the AIA Document A201-2007 defines substantial completion as “the stage in the progress of the Work when the Work or designated portion thereof is sufficiently complete in accordance with the Contract Documents so that the Owner can occupy or utilize the Work for its intended use.”