DESIGN AWARDS

THE DESIGN AWARDS

PURPOSE

The 2026 Design Awards program celebrates the best contemporary architecture by Triangle architects regardless of budget, size, style or type. These projects show the range of outstanding work architects create and highlight the many ways buildings and spaces can improve our lives.

The AIA Triangle Community Impact Through Design (CITD) Award is a distinguished award established to celebrate and honor the lasting legacies of Phil Freelon, FAIA, and Steve Schuster, FAIA, recognizing projects that create meaningful and enduring positive impacts within their communities.

Projects may be submitted concurrently for consideration in both the Design Award categories and the CITD Award in the same year, provided they meet the eligibility criteria for each. Projects that have previously received recognition in Design Awards or the CITD Award categories are eligible for resubmission in future years for consideration in the other applicable categories.

2026 DESIGN AWARDS
SUBMISSION CRITERIA & CHECKLIST

AIA Triangle Design Awards Submissions will be accepted in an entirely digital format, via an online form, accompanied by a digital upload of your images.

Please follow the directions for submission outlined in this document. If you have questions regarding the online submission process, contact Keri Dixon, Director of Communications, at the AIANC office: (919) 833-6656; or by email: kdixon@aianc.org.

Design Awards Entry Checklist
Your entry should include:

ONE Online Form, including the following:

◊ Concealed Identification Data
◊ Photo release form
◊ Design Awards Descriptive Data.

TWO Digital Uploads, including the following:

◊ 1 PDF no larger than 20 MB containing up to 12 high-resolution project slides (16:9 format, 300dpi) – photographs, drawings, or diagrams you wish to present. Images will be labeled with your entry number and order number. Each PDF must begin with a cover page containing only your entry number. No PDF may exceed 13 pages in length.
◊ 1 high-resolution (16:9, 300dpi) JPEG “Public Display Image”.

*Please note that all submissions must be in 16:9 format.

*Please note that all slides must be uploaded as a single PDF with a total file size limit of 20 MB. All submissions are limited to 12 project slides plus one cover page, containing only your entry number, for a total limit of 13 pages per entry. 

Entry Fee:

$260 for large firms (50 or more employees)

$210 for medium firms (11-49 employees)

$160 for small firms (10 or fewer employees)

Submission Deadline: February 27, 2026, 6:00 pm

*Please note there will not be a deadline extension this year. Please plan accordingly.

DESIGN AWARDS SUBMISSION CRITERIA AND CHECKLIST

UNBUILT

Projects submitted as unbuilt include commercial design,  residential design, competitions, master planning, urban  planning, and conceptual design. Submissions may be of any size and in any stage of design so long as they are  as-yet unrealized. Submissions do not need to be tied to  a client or a commission. Unbuilt projects are eligible to receive Honor and Merit Awards.

Digital Entry Submission

Online Submission Requirements:

Submit these steps for each entry:

Fill out one online form:

• In the Design Awards portal register or sign in with your firm log-in
• Submit your project data into the Registration Round 
• Be sure to make note of the 8-digit ID number provided with your registration. This will be used on your  Digital Upload PDF during the Submission Round.
• You will then have until February 27, 2026 to submit your Digital Upload into the Submission Round.
• If you submitted for awards last year with AIA NC or AIA Triangle, you can resubmit any eligible project.  You will have the option to update the project data.
• In the Submission Round you will submit:  
  • Concealed identification data 
  •  Descriptive data 
  •  1 high-resolution Public Display Image (JPEG, 16:9, 300 dpi)

A Digital Upload:

• 1 Project PDF with no more than 13 slides (16:9, max 20 MB) 
  •  cover page containing only your ID number centered on the page, no images or special formatting  ▫ up to 12 high-resolution project slides (300dpi) 
  •  include any photographs, drawings, diagrams, and short-form narratives you wish to present  ▫ pages shall be labeled with your ID number and page number 
  • Do not include your fi rm name in any fi le names or on any slides 
  • Use the following naming conventions for your Digital Upload: 
    • PROJECT NAME_LARGE 
    • PROJECT NAME_INTERIOR 
    •  PROJECT NAME_RESIDENTIAL 
    •  PROJECT NAME_SMALL 
    •  PROJECT NAME_UNBUILT

IMPORTANT entry notes:

• Please be certain that your project slides are in the appropriate order in the PDF. (Jurors will hear the 200 word “Short Description” while viewing your images.)
• Each project slide should include your entry number and slide order (page numbers).
• Please be certain your PDF includes a cover page containing ONLY YOUR ENTRY NUMBER centered on the page – no images or special formatting.
• PDFs can be no longer than 13 pages, which includes one cover page and up to 12 project slides.
• PDFs may be no larger than 20 MB.
• Do NOT include your firm name in any file names or on any slides.
• You will be uploading TWO image files: One containing the project slides (PDF) and another containing only the public display image (JPEG).

Certificates for all award-winning entries will be presented at the awards reception. It is important to have a  representative from the winning firm present to accept the award. Winners will receive three certifi cates: one for the architect, one for the owner and one for the contractor. Additional certificates will be available at the expense of the award recipient. 

Note: Award winners will not be notified prior to Awards Reception. 

Exhibition/Publicity

Awarded Projects 

The AIA Triangle Awards Committee will publish the public display image and “short description” for all the awarded  projects to our social media platforms. Additionally, the entire digital submission document for all the awarded projects  will be shared on the AIA Triangle website. Photos and the “short description” from awarded projects may be used in  future publicity materials to promote the AIA Triangle Awards program. 

Projects Submitted for Awards Consideration 

All entries will be posted on the AIA Triangle website under Design Awards. All entries will be exhibited at the Design  Awards Reception. 

Drawings and photographs shall not be restricted against publication. It is the entrant’s responsibility to clear all drawings  and photographs for release by the AIA Triangle Awards Committee which will assume no responsibility for copyrights  or photographic fees. The photographs provided for each entry may be used for unrestricted newspaper, magazine,  website, and social media publicity. Credit must be given to the photographer by the entrant.