The 2026 AIA North Carolina Call for Design Awards Submissions is here! These awards recognize the design expertise and excellence of architects from all sections in North Carolina. Awards recognize firms and projects of all shapes and sizes. From large to small, judges take every project into consideration.
AIA North Carolina’s Design Awards to align with AIA and urgent climate change:
The world today is facing broad and complex challenges that threaten every aspect of our lives. The architect’s call to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public has a new and broader meaning amid challenges such as increasing climate extremes and social inequity. Architects everywhere must recognize that our profession can harness the power of design to contribute to solutions addressing the most significant needs of our time. Every project can be used as a platform for addressing big problems and providing creative solutions. Every line drawn should be a source of good in the world.
The Framework for Design Excellence represents the defining principles of good design in the 21st century. Comprised of 10 principles and accompanied by searching questions, the Framework seeks to inform progress toward a zero-carbon, equitable, resilient, and healthy built environment. These are to be thoughtfully considered by the designer and client at the initiation of every project and incorporated into the work as appropriate to the project scope. The Framework is intended to be accessible and relevant for every architect, every client, and every project, regardless of size, typology, or aspiration. The Framework for Design Excellence challenges architects by articulating what the profession strives to achieve.
DEADLINE TO SUBMIT IS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, AT 11:59 PM
More About Design Awards
Housing Design Awards
Often a person’s first and most impactful interaction with architecture, housing shapes the way we live and react with our environment. Well-designed housing provides comfort, safety, and functionality, as well as influences our psychological and emotional well-being. By recognizing the best in housing design, AIA North Carolina aims to show others how well-designed, sustainable, and comfortable spaces can impact our society.
For AIA NC Members, all entries, built or unbuilt, must be housing projects designed by members of the North Carolina Chapter of the AIA. The projects may be located anywhere in the United States or abroad. Built projects must have been completed within the past 10 years. Unbuilt projects must be fully commissioned with a scheduled construction start date.
For Non-AIA NC Members, all entries, built or unbuilt, must be housing projects designed by architects licensed in North Carolina, and the projects must be located in North Carolina. Built projects must have been completed within the past 10 years. Unbuilt projects must be fully commissioned with a scheduled construction start date.
Early Bird Pricing -
July 22 - August 21
$225 for AIA NC Member
$270 for Non-Member
Design Awards
For AIA NC Members, all entries, built or unbuilt, must be commissioned building projects designed by members of the North Carolina Chapter of the AIA. The projects may be located anywhere in the United States or abroad. Built projects must have been completed within the past 10 years. Unbuilt projects must be fully commissioned with a scheduled construction start date
For Non-AIA NC Members, all entries, built or unbuilt, must be commissioned building projects designed by an architect licensed in North Carolina, and the projects must be located in North Carolina. Built projects must have been completed within the past 10 years. Unbuilt projects must be fully commissioned with a scheduled construction start date.
Please note: Housing projects will not be eligible for entry into the AIA NC Design Awards. Housing projects must be entered into the AIA NC Housing Design Awards. This is a separate entry. Housing projects entered here will automatically be moved into the Housing Awards program.
Early Bird Pricing -
July 22 - August 21
$255 for AIA NC Member
$300 for Non-Member
Student Awards
Projects submitted in the Student Design Award category should be the work of students currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate architecture degree program, or those who have graduated after January 1st, 2024. Projects must have been completed in pursuit of a degree or academic credit. Entrants must include the name of their professor at their university. Group projects are eligible for recognition and will be considered as a group submission. All group members should be credited with roles clearly identified on the submission form.
$20 Per Submission
Additional Awards Included In Submission
Rock the Block Design Award: Hosted by Beauty of Block Design Collaborative
Beauty of Block is proud to sponsor the AIA North Carolina Rock the Block Design Award, a showcase celebrating outstanding concrete masonry unit (CMU) projects from across the state. If you've worked on an exceptional CMU project, this is your opportunity to showcase it while helping demonstrate why concrete masonry continues to be a smart, resilient, and design-forward building solution. This award recognizes projects that go beyond aesthetics to tell the full story behind the design, highlighting performance needs, design intent, and the real-world advantages that led teams to choose concrete masonry.
ELIGIBILITY: Submissions will be accepted from architects or other project leads. Projects must be completed in North Carolina within the last 10 years.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS: Maximum 500-word project description covering project background, goals, design challenges, why CMU was selected, and key project outcomes.· Minimum of three (3) high-resolution project photos (JPEG or PNG, 300 dpi preferred; landscape orientation preferred).· Photo credits and confirmation that submitted photos may be used for promotional purposes.· Project team information including Architect, Engineer, Mason Contractor, CMU Producer, Owner/Developer, and additional team members (optional).
WINNER RECOGNITION: Winners will work with the Beauty of Block Design Collective team to develop a 2-page Project Profile which will be displayed on BeautyofBlock.com and promoted by the Concrete Masonry Checkoff.
Tower Award
This award recognizes well-designed projects by AIANC members that exemplify historic preservation and adaptive reuse in renovation, restoration, or rehabilitation of a historic structure; new/infill construction within a historic context; or a new construction addition to a historic structure. Tower Award submissions must be at least one of the below:
on the National Register of Historic Places;
a contributing building in a National Register historic district;
a contributing building in a locally-designated historic district,
a locally designed landmark.
COTE Award
This award recognizes well-designed projects by AIANC members that exemplify the AIA’s Framework for Design Excellence and the COTE Measures of Sustainability. AIANC COTE awards should include a description with key environmental features, and narratives responding to specific categories, indicating an understanding of the connections between them. Selection favors well-designed solutions that exhibit an integration of natural systems and appropriate technology, quantifying features when possible (using suggested metrics), verification through building systems modeling, analysis, and best practices.
