MISSION 

The AIA Westchester + Hudson Valley Design Awards Program will honor projects exhibiting excellence in design. The Program’s goals are to recognize local architects who have made a positive aesthetic and social contribution to the built environment, and as a result have increased public awareness of quality architectural design. 

ELIGIBILITY

Completed or unbuilt work by a licensed Architect, Associate AIA member, or firm working in an office located within the chapter area. In the case of firms with multiple offices - the office based within the chapter area must have been the primary office producing the work.  The work must have been completed between January 2017 and August 2021. There is no limit to the number of projects submitted and applicants are encouraged to submit as many projects as desired. 

JUDGING

The Program’s review criteria will include the following: 

• Clear program statements and resolution

• Synthesis of building, site and context

• Design excellence

The jury shall be comprised of a panel of architects from another regional AIA chapter. The jury shall review projects based on the program outline, criteria, and rules as described herein. By entering, each entrant accepts and agrees to be bound by these official rules and the decisions of the judges. Any dispute regarding these rules or awards will be resolved by the jury and the executive committee of the AIA Westchester + Hudson Valley, and their decision shall be final. A maximum of three (3) awards shall be granted to a single applicant. 

AWARD CATEGORIES

Entries shall be submitted in one (1) of the following categories, which are intended to be inclusive of new construction, additions, alterations, and unbuilt work. If you feel your submission does not fit into a single category, please proceed with your submission and the committee members and/or jury members will place your entry into a category. The number of awards granted shall be at the sole discretion of the jury. Additionally, based on their review of the submissions, the jury may decide that awards not be granted in every category.

1. Commercial / Corporate

2. Institutional - Education, Medical, Religious

3. Interior Architecture

4. Municipal / Community / Planning

5. Residential - Single Family

6. Residential - Multi-Family

7. Historic Restoration / Adaptive Re-Use

The jury has the option of selecting projects within specific areas of excellence for special mention awards. Special award categories might include: 

• Preservation

• Sustainability

• Research

• Lighting

• Work by emerging professionals

PROGRAM SCHEDULE

• REGISTRATION BY Thursday, July 1, 2021 EXTENDED TO AUGUST 2, 2021

• SUBMISSIONS DUE Monday, August 2, 2021

• JURY REVIEW August 2021

• AWARDS PRESENTATION September - October 2021, date. format and venue TBD

Please mark your calendar, and do not rely on extensions being granted!! 

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Each entry shall be submitted via the Design Awards Entry Form (link below), and shall include: 

1. Project Information:

   1. Contains project and team identification, and a brief description for presentation and publication.

2. Submission PDF:

   1. Identify this PDF as “SUB-Project Name”. “Project name” is the actual name of your project.

   2. The Submission PDF shall include no logos or text identifying the submitter. Circumstantial information such as prior awards, which may tip the jury, are grounds for disqualification.

   3. The first page of the Submission PDF shall include the Project Information Sheet which shall include “Project Name”, “Short Project Summary”, “Project Type”, “Project Square Footage”, “Project Budget”, “Completion Date”, and “Zoning Constraints.”

   4. The first or second page of the Submission PDF shall include a Project Narrative, which shall describe the project goals, solutions, and accomplishments. The project Narrative shall not exceed 300 words.

   5. The submission PDF shall be formatted as a single document / file, with multiple pages. The number of pages in the Submission PDF is at the discretion of the entrant. However, over 20 pages is discouraged.

   6. The maximum size for the Submission PDF file shall be 20MB.

   7. Submission graphics shall be at the discretion of the entrant. However, as applicable, the submission should include the following: site plan, floor plan(s), elevations, photographs (built projects), and site context photographs. Site and/or building sections are recommended.

   8. Photography credit may remain on photographs. Where authorship is not indicated on the images or would compromise anonymity, list credits in the Project Information.

3. Marketing Images:

   1. Include 3 to 5 images that best capture the essence of the submission. Images shall be in JPEG (.jpg) format, with a minimum image size of 2000 x 3000 pixels, and a maximum file size of 2MB each. Include photography credits for each photograph.

FEES (PER ENTRY)

• $200 for AIA members

• $100 for Associate Chapter Members

• $300 for non-members

• $25 per student submission

The entry fee does not include the cost to attend the Award Gala. Please call Valerie Brown (914) 232-7240 at the Chapter Office for tickets/reservations. Make payments online or mail check payable to: AIA Westchester + Hudson Valley.