AIA Utah Architecture Awards

The AIA Utah Awards program recognizes achievements for a broad range of projects from AIA Utah members and is meant to elevate the conversation regarding excellent design in the state.

Each entry will be judged for the success with which the project has met its individual requirements. Entries are weighed individually, not in competition with each other. Projects must exhibit design achievement, reflecting a strong sense of place, ecological stewardship, and social responsibility as well as formal, functional and technical requirements of the practice. Preference will be given to projects that clearly describe intended impacts that further good design, technical advancement, outstanding skill in preservation or restoration, and other outstanding details that are worthy of merit.

In 2019, AIA adopted the Framework for Design Excellence as the set of guidelines and requirements to assess project performance. Climate action requires a holistic approach addressing the interdependence among people, buildings, infrastructure, and the environment. The Framework for Design Excellence provides the elements that support this vision during project evaluation. To align with national AIA Awards criteria and help facilitate AIA Utah members' ability to submit noteworthy projects for national awards, Framework for Design Excellence prompts have been incorporated into our entry form.

While projects submitted are not required to address all of these prompts, they are expected to demonstrate performance through relevant narratives and metrics as applicable.

AIA Utah Awards Schedule


Architecture Awards

  • Call for Entries: Monday, May 5th
  • Submissions Due: Monday, July 28th at 5PM

1. AWARDS GIVEN


Architecture Award

This award celebrates the best architecture regardless of budget, size, style, or type. These stunning projects show the range of outstanding work Utah's architects create and highlight the many ways buildings and spaces can enhance our lives.

Multiple awards may be given annually, as determined by the AIA Utah Architecture Awards Jury, in the following categories:

  • Honor Award - Projects that exhibit the highest distinction.

  • Merit Award - Projects that exhibit superior quality.

Small-Project Award

This award celebrates the best architecture with small budgets and/or size, but regardless of style or type. These stunning projects show the range of outstanding work Utah's architects create and highlight the many ways buildings and spaces can enhance our lives.

Multiple awards may be given annually, as determined by the AIA Utah Architecture Awards Jury, in the following categories:

  • Honor Award - Projects that exhibit the highest distinction.

  • Merit Award - Projects that exhibit superior quality.

Twenty-five Year Award

This award showcases buildings that set a precedent, have stood the test of time for 25-35 years, and continue to set standards of excellence for its architectural design and significance.

Up to one award may be given annually, as determined by the AIA Utah Architecture Awards Jury.

Conceptual Architecture Award

This award celebrates the best innovative architectural concepts or components. These works are unconstrained, in order to show the built environment as it could be; with the hope that, through inspiration, architects' design for humanity's future will be elevated. This work may focus on addressing a specific issue, concern, or process.

Multiple awards may be given annually, as determined by the AIA Utah Architecture Awards Jury, in the following categories:

  • Honor Award - Projects that exhibit the highest distinction.

  • Merit Award - Projects that exhibit superior quality.

2. ELIGIBILITY


Architecture Award

  • Any AIA Utah member may submit an entry.

  • Submitting individual is not required to be the head of the team.

  • Submissions must credit every substantial contributor.

  • All entries must be built projects designed by members of AIA Utah, regardless of size and/or budget.

  • New construction, renovations, and restorations are eligible.

  • Projects may be located anywhere in the U.S. or abroad.

  • Projects must have been completed since January 1, 2020.

Small Project Award:

  • Any AIA Utah member may submit an entry.

  • Submitting individual is not required to be the head of the team.

  • Submissions must credit every substantial contributor.

  • All entries must be built projects designed by members of AIA Utah which are less than 5,000 square feet or under $2.5 million in construction cost.

  • New construction, renovations, and restorations are eligible.

  • Projects may be located anywhere in the U.S. or abroad.

  • Projects must have been completed since January 1, 2020.

Twenty-five Year Award:

  • Any AIA Utah member may submit an entry.

  • Submitting individual is not required to be the head of the team.

  • Submissions must credit every substantial contributor.

  • All entries must be projects completed at least twenty-five but not more than thirty-five years ago.

  • New construction, renovations, and restorations are eligible.

  • Projects may be located anywhere in the U.S. or abroad, but must have been designed by a Utah-licensed architect at the time of the project’s completion.

  • Submissions may be completed on behalf of an individual or firm by any AIA Utah member in good standing.

Conceptual Architecture Award:

  • Any AIA Utah member may submit an entry.

  • Submissions must credit every substantial contributor.

  • Work created for a commission or design competition must clearly identify the initiating entity within the "Client/Owner Name" field of this entry form.

  • All entries must be architectural concepts designed by members of AIA Utah that are not intended to be built.

  • Student projects and non-architectural design (such as industrial or graphic design, and urban design projects) are not eligible for submission in this category.

  • Projects must have been completed since January 1, 2020.

3. JURORS


ANY PROJECT THAT CREDITS A JUROR OR THEIR FIRM AS A CONTRIBUTOR WILL BE DISQUALIFIED ON THE GROUNDS OF INELIGIBILITY. ANY COMMUNICATION WITH THE JURY, FROM THE TIME JURORS ARE ANNOUNCED TO THE TIME AWARDS ARE PRESENTED, IS INAPPROPRIATE AND CONSIDERED CAUSE FOR DISQUALIFICATION. JURORS WILL BE ASKED TO RECUSE THEMSELVES IF THEY ARE UNABLE TO MAKE AN IMPARTIAL EVALUATION OF ANY PROJECT.

4.SUBMISSION DETAILS


In addition to your responses in this entry form, your Supporting Documentation will consist of one PDF consisting of no more than 26 slides, and not exceeding 20MB total file size. You may need to reduce your file size to accomplish this. Your entry will be viewed digitally. Landscape format (preferably 16:9) is encouraged, but a consistent use of either horizontal or vertical orientation is advised. Use of the maximum page limit is strongly recommended to present the most complete representation of your work.

Changes to uploaded files will not be allowed after the entry deadline.

Additional materials:

In addition to your Supporting Documentation PDF, announcement images and a gallery board will also be required.

If you have questions, please contact Joe Mangum

SUBMISSION GUIDANCE

The guidance below is intended to help you decide how to tell your project's story through the written descriptions included in this entry form, and the Supporting Documentation slides you will be asked to upload. Entrants are allowed complete autonomy in the design and content of the uploaded slides.

IMAGES

Consider including the following:

  • One image showing each exposed side of the building or environment

  • One additional image showing the context of each exposed side of the building (may be omitted if the project's relationship to its context is defined clearly elsewhere)

  • For a group of buildings, one image of the project sufficient to illustrate the complete project, including its relationship to its environs

  • For projects involving exterior alterations, one image of each altered, exposed side together with one image of the same side before alteration (unless evidence is submitted on the unavailability of the latter)

  • At least one interior image for each major functional space

  • Conceptual diagrams, elevations, floor plans, sections, and site plan (including North arrow)

  • Indicate the scale used on all drawings

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Items listed below should be considered as prompts to serve as guidance for the information you convey about your project. None of the items are required, but jurors have requested this information in the past.

Project Information:

Describe your project, emphasizing the elements of design achievement as defined in the judging criteria. Include project intentions, programming requirements, cost data, and the distinguishing aspects of your resolution.

Of the principles in the Framework for Design Excellence (Integration, Community, Ecology, Water, Economy, Energy, Wellness, Resources, Change, Discovery), the following are the most commonly requested information by past jurors:

Materials:

Documentation of specific material choices to address the needs for indoor environmental quality and diversion of materials from the waste stream.

Client Matters:

A brief summary on how the project came to be, including the client’s perspective from the start and what impact the project has made on the client and, if applicable, the community.

Sustainable Design Strategies:

Describe how sustainable design and building performance strategies are integrated within the project's overall design goals.

Energy:

A brief summary of energy and carbon reduction strategies, plus metrics (if possible) per a tool such as Energy Star Target Finder. You can provide other items such as: Predicted EUI in kBtu/sf/yr excluding on-site renewable energy contribution; Predicted EUI in kBtu/sf/yr including on-site renewable energy contribution (carbon offsets will not be counted); Predicted % regional energy reduction; and Actual EUI in kBtu/sf/yr including on-site renewable energy contribution (based on 1-yr utility records).

Water:

A brief summary of water use strategies, including storm and waste water management and potable water use, plus metrics: % precipitation managed on site; %waste water used on site; predicted annual regulated potable water use, gallons/sf/yr; % regulated potable water reduction from baseline.

Community Connectivity:

A brief summary of community and public transit connectivity, plus metrics: parking spaces per occupant and WalkScore ratings.

GALLERY BOARD TEMPLATE

A gallery board is a required component for all submissions and will be displayed at the awards presentation event. The gallery board for your project must use AIA Utah's template, instructions and InDesign file are available at the bottom of this page.

Upon receipt of the gallery board file, AIA Utah will be responsible for printing and display of all gallery boards.

JUDGING CRITERIA AND RELEASE FORMS

The AIA Utah Awards program recognizes design achievement for a broad range of projects from Utah-licensed architects, and is meant to elevate the conversation regarding excellent design in the state. Jurors review entries with a preference for projects that:

  • have measurable, identifiable impact,

  • are well-designed from any of a variety of considerations (i.e. program, design intent, cost, performance),

  • are well-presented (clear images, descriptions and supporting drawings),

  • met client goals while advancing the theory or practice or architecture (summary the project’s origin, including client’s initial goals and what impact the project has made on the client and the community), and/or

  • excel in an additional area(s) of merit.

Projects are strongly encouraged to pursue the energy reduction goals of the AIA 2030 Commitment.

Learn more about the 2030 Commitment here.

RELEASE FORM

Information and illustrations for any project receiving an award or chosen for inclusion in any award citation will be taken from the information and materials submitted by the Entrant. There may be no further communication with an entrant prior to the announcement of an award. Accuracy, therefore, is essential.

BY MAKING A SUBMISSION, THE ENTRANT AGREES THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN ITS CONCEALED IDENTIFICATION FORM AND ANY OTHER INFORMATION OR MATERIALS SUBMITTED BY THE ENTRANT ARE COMPLETE AND ACCURATE. THE ENTRANT FURTHER AGREES THAT IT SHALL INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS The American Institute of Architects Utah Chapter ('AIA Utah') AND its partner institutions, FROM AND AGAINST ALL CLAIMS OR DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF THE USE OF ANY INFORMATION OR OTHER MATERIALS SUPPLIED BY THE ENTRANT. ALL ERRORS OR OMISSIONS ARE THE SOLE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE ENTRANT.

The entrant further certifies that entrant has obtained all permissions necessary to permit AIA Utah to publish, without financial or other obligation, any information, photograph or other materials submitted by the Entrant, including any permissions required from any individual, architect, contractor, owner or photographer, and such grant will include the necessary permissions to include the same in the AIA Utah's designated periodical for purposes of any announcements for this awards program. The Entrant certifies that the AIA Utah is authorized to use all such materials as they deem appropriate in connection with this awards program, including publicizing the program itself.

Begin The Submission Process

Click the button below to begin the submission process. It is strongly encouraged that you register for an AIAUtah.org account before beginning the process in order to save your work in progress.

You should be prepared to upload your submission files:

Supporting Documentation: Will consist of one PDF consisting of no more than 26 slides, and not exceeding 20MB total file size. You may need to reduce your file size to accomplish this. Your entry will be viewed digitally. Landscape format (preferably 16:9) is encouraged, but a consistent use of either horizontal or vertical orientation is advised. Use of the maximum page limit is strongly recommended to present the most complete representation of your work.

Gallery Boards: AIA Utah values the work of our members and we will display all projects submitted, regardless of whether the architecture awards jury selects this entry to receive an award, as part of our annual celebration. Using the provided gallery board template (below), please upload your project board (10 MB max file size) for AIA Utah to use in printing this year's display. Please note that boards not following the provided template/instructions may not be included in the annual gallery.

Announcement Images: Should your project be selected to receive an award, please upload the 3-5 images (.jpg or .png files that are 3840 pixels wide by 2160 pixels tall) that best represent your project to be used for the announcement. Total file size for all Announcement Images should not exceed 30MB.

After you submit your forms you will be redirected to a store page to pay your Entry Fee. If you have any questions about the submission process please contact Joe Mangum

The files below may be of use to you in the submission process.

Please Note: the Offline Workbook is for your convenience only, it will not be accepted in lieu of the online submission form linked above.

Architecture Awards Files

Item Name Posted By Date Posted
2025 Architecture Awards Offline Workbook PDF (479.38 KB) Administration 5/2/2025
Architecture Awards Updates - Best Practices PDF (1.48 MB) Administration 5/29/2024
AIA Utah Gallery Board Guidelines PDF (661.92 KB) Administration 4/30/2024
AIA Utah Gallery Board .indd Template ZIP (504.02 KB) Administration 4/30/2024

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