AIA Colorado Design Awards: Submission Instructions

The AIA Colorado Annual Design Awards honor the outstanding work of AIA Colorado members and their firms, reinforce the value of great architecture, and highlight member contributions to positive change.

Awards Recognition

Eligible projects must be designed by an AIA Colorado member architect/firm within the last five years, but can be any project type, any size and do not have to be located within Colorado.

Award Levels

The jury may recognize eligible projects in one of the following levels.

Award of Excellence: This is the highest possible honor, which recognizes projects that represent excellence of architectural design on all levels and exemplify the highest standards to which AIA members aspire. Unanimous approval by the jurors is required.

Award of Merit: Granted to projects which display a high standard of architectural quality and design, as deemed unanimously or by a consensus of jury members.

Honorable Mention: Honors notable achievements in one or more aspects of the project, as deemed unanimously or by a consensus of jury members.

In addition, eligible projects may be recognized for their integration of sustainable design excellence with environmental performance.

The submission fee is $275 per entry.

Entrants that are already submitting for a category (listed below) can also submit their project for consideration in the sustainability category, at no extra cost, by completing the Sustainability Common App. To be considered for the sustainability category you must already be submitting a project for another category and have paid your submission fee. More information below, under “Categories.”

Refunds will not be issued for entries that are disqualified, withdrawn, incomplete, or late. The submission deadline will be strictly observed; no exceptions will be made.

Submission Deadline: Friday, June 26, 2026 at Noon.

For projects to be considered, the following requirements must be met:

1. The project must have been completed within the last five calendar years. This means that the submitted project must have been completed on, or after, Jan. 1, 2021.
2. The work must be submitted by either the design architect or the architect-of-record, residing in Colorado, who is an AIA Colorado member or architect, in good standing.
   1. Submissions must include the name of individual who served as either the design architect or the architect-of-record for the project being submitted.
   2. If a project had both a design architect and an architect-of-record, submissions must include the names of both.
   3. Projects are only eligible to receive an award if the work was done by an AIAColorado member whose firm is within Colorado. (The member may be either the design architect or the architect-of-record.)
   4. Eligible projects must be designed by an AIA Colorado member/architect, but the project can be any size/type and located anywhere in the world.
   5. Non-licensed AIA Colorado members are eligible to submit for the Unbuilt, Architectural Detail and Research and Development project types. All other award categories must be designed by a licensed architect.
3. Projects that have been previously submitted but did not receive an AIA Colorado award in prior years, and still meet the five-year eligibility requirement, may be resubmitted.
4. There is no limit to the number of submissions per eligible architect member or firm. You may enter as many projects as you wish that meet the eligibility criteria.

The AIA Colorado Design Awards celebrate design excellence regardless of budget, size, style, or type, and recognizes the range of outstanding work by AIA Colorado architects and their positive impacts to our communities.

The jury evaluates entries based on how successfully projects have met their individual requirements while clearly conveying the project’s vision. Entries are judged individually—not in competition with each other.

Jurors will consider each submittal holistically through the lens of the Framework for Design Excellence, including but not limited to the following:

• Physical organization and form, including attention to composition and detail
• Response to program, site, geographic and/or urban context
• Innovation and originality in concept, process, materials, building systems and/or implementation
• Demonstration of exemplary environmental and social awareness

Classifications are used solely to facilitate the submission and judging processes. The jury is not required to recognize awards within each project category; there is no maximum or required minimum number of projects recognized within any category. Entrants must select from one of the following categories (except for the sustainability category) that best represents their submission. A project may be entered for sustainability recognition as well by submitting additional information.

• New Construction: Recognizes new construction projects, classified by three size categories:
  • 5,000SF and under
  • 5,000SF – 15,000SF
  • Over 15,000SF
• Historic Preservation and Restoration: Recognizes preservation, restoration, rehabilitation, adaptive reuse projects designated as historic by local, state, national, or UNESCO land marking or registration period, classified by three size categories:
  • 5,000SF and under
  • 5,000SF – 15,000SF 
  • Over 15,000SF
• Renovation and Remodel: Recognizes renovation, remodel, rehabilitation, and adaptive reuse projects, classified by three size categories:
  • 5,000SF and under
  • 5,000SF – 15,000SF
  • Over 15,000SF
• Interior Architecture: Recognizes interior architecture projects as a whole or element within a larger project.
• Regional Design and Planning*: Recognizes urban design projects, planning programs, civic improvements, campus plans, regional plans, environmental programs, or redevelopment projects that are not individual buildings. Individual buildings may be submitted in an applicable category above. Projects in this category may be either built or in the process of being realized.
  • *Acknowledging the increasingly interdisciplinary nature of our profession, projects in these categories may have been led by multiple disciplines. To be eligible for this project category, a key member of the design team must have been an AIA Colorado member.
• Unbuilt: Recognizes architectural design for projects that may never be realized but address relevant social, cultural, and environmental challenges, as well as technological innovations that drive the architecture profession into the future.
• Architectural Detail*: Recognizes an instance in which the details of a project are executed in an artful way, celebrating the relationship between architecture and craft through a particular material, detail, or technology. To be eligible for an award in this category, the project must be realized/built. Drawn details and/or detail photographs must be submitted for this category.
  • *Submitters do not have to be licensed architects, but they must be AIA Colorado, AIA, or Associate AIA Members.
  • A detail from a project submitted for recognition in either the New Construction, Historic Preservation and Restoration, or Renovation and Remodel categories can be submitted in this category as well, as long as the submission differs from the new construction or renovation submission and clearly highlights a specific detail.
• Sustainability* (optional add-on category, no additional fee to apply): Recognizes a project that demonstrates commitment to sustainable design, specifically achieving the AIA Committee on the Environment’s (COTE) rigorous criteria for social, economic, and ecological value. Projects that outline successes in The Framework for Design Excellence’s ten measures will be considered for this award. Projects aren’t judged because they achieve excellence with each measure, but by how effectively they address one or more. To be eligible to receive an award in this category, submitters must respond to each of the ten measures and fill out the Common App for Design Excellence (download the Excel file when you begin your submission online). Detailed information, outlining the ten measures, can be found in the Framework for Design Excellence. Entrants are strongly encouraged to be a 2030 Commitment Signatory Firm.
  • *This category requires that the project already is submitted for another category. The project will be considered for this category only if the Common app for Design Excellence is submitted.
• Research & Development: The R&D award seeks to celebrate the work that we do that doesn’t fall into traditional categories of built (or even unbuilt) projects. It recognizes the investigations that forward the art and science of Architecture. “So what sort of things would fit into this category?” A comparative study of embodied carbon in your project. Pioneering a new product or material assembly. Creating original building forms or performance using cutting edge modeling technology. Studying or improving fire resistance in envelop design. Or creating a new building code to reflect those ignition resistant design strategies. More examples can include fabrication, building components or systems, sustainable strategies, construction details, design process, social/community impact, and research-focused faculty or student work.
  • The IRS uses a 4-part test to determine if an Architect’s activity qualifies for the R&D tax credit and this category will use the same general filter:
    • Permitted Purpose
      • The activity must relate to a new and improved business component’s function, performance, reliability, or quality. This means your project aims to address a technological challenge, not simply fulfill routine business needs.
    • Technological in Nature
      • The activity performed must fundamentally rely on principles of physical or biological science, engineering, or computer science.
    • Process of Experimentation 
      • Your project should involve a systematic experimentation process. This means actively seeking solutions through trial and error, modeling, simulation, testing different alternatives, and changing your approach based on the results.
    • Elimination of Uncertainty 
      • The activity must discover information to eliminate uncertainty concerning the capability, method or design for developing or improving a product, design or process.
  • This Award is open to any member including those who are non-licensed professionals in firms, in academic settings, or working in group collaborations.

All submissions are to be completed online through the AIA Colorado Design Awards portal.

Projects previously submitted between 2021 and 2025 that did not receive statewide recognition may resubmit for consideration for an AIA Colorado 2026 Design Award.

Submissions that do not follow instructions and/or submission requirements may be disqualified and will not receive any refund of entry fees.

Click here to access the submission portal. An account must be created prior to submitting projects. A draft of the submission can be saved during the process. Payment is required at the end of the application before the project is submitted or another entry started.

See below the information you will be asked to submit via the online application.

1 – Project Title

2 – Submission Details

• Nominator Contact Information
• Project Category
• Indicate whether the project should be considered for the sustainability recognition (a completed Common App for Design Excellence upload will be required).

3 – Eligibility Verification

• Member name
• AIA member number
• Indicate Architect-of-Record or Design Architect
• Contact Information
• City of Residency
• Firm Affiliation

4 – Nominating Firm Information

• Indicate if the firm is an active signatory to the AIA 2030 Commitment
• Indicate if the firm is a first time entrant
• Indicate if the firm has certifications/designations (B Corp, JUST, Not for Profit, Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Other)
• Demographic Information – demographic information provided is confidential and used for statistical purposes only.
  1. Firm Size
  2. Race and ethnicity representation
  3. Gender representation
  4. Disability representation
  5. Firm Ownership

5 – Project Details

• Project Category
• Indicate whether the project should be considered for the sustainability recognition (a completed Common App for Design Excellence upload will be required.
  • For measure 6, Design for Energy, select the energy code that the project was designed to meet. If you designed to meet IECC 2021, go head and select IECC 2018, and put a note under design for energy narrative that it was designed under IECC 2021. Here is a helpful video discussing the Design for Energy section.

The following information will not be seen by the jury but may be used for publication purposes after the jury deliberation.

• Project Location
• Owner/Developer/Client
• Architect-of-Record
• Architect-of-Record’s Firm
• Design Architect
• Design Architect’s Firm
• Additional Firms to be Credited*
• Other parties that contributed to the project (contractor, landscape architect, etc.)
• The name of the photographer for each image used in this submission

*When one architect is not the sole author, all other participants contributing substantially to the design of the project must be given credit as part of the submission, regardless of professional discipline. AIA Colorado reserves the right to recognize additional project contributors that may not have been listed in celebration and promotion of the Design Awards.

6 – Project Photos for AIA Colorado Communications and Marketing

6 high-resolution photos, with proper credit, to be used on AIA Colorado’s website and/or in other AIA Colorado communications and marketing. Label the filename of each image with the project name and number your photos 1 through 6. Photo number 1 will be used as a thumbnail on the AIA Colorado website and marketing materials.

• Image 1: Promotional Image, to be used by AIA Colorado for marketing purposes.
• Image 2 – 6: Supplemental images. Such as exterior elevations, details, sketches, or renderings showing innovative design and exemplary execution:
  • Images/Drawings to show context, special considerations, and innovative design.
  • One image needs to show the project’s relationship to it’s location, such as a siteplan or floor plan, and must include North arrow and graphic scale.
  • NO COLLAGED SLIDES ARE ALLOWED. Only ONE image or drawing per slide.
  • “Images” means drawings or photos.
  • Images may be edited to improve contrast ratio, color balance, and composition through cropping. Images may not be edited to add, remove, or alter any aspect or element of the project including its context. Images should represent the project as it exists in the built environment. Artistic composition must not confuse the jury as to the nature of the project.

7 – Project Submittal for Jury Review* (PDF – 17 pages maximum, full-bleed permitted,
11×17″ aspect ratio, “landscape orientation”)

*Firm and personnel names are not to be visible on any of the pages or file names. Failure to follow these instructions will result in disqualification. If selected to receive an award, this PDF may be shared publicly.

1. Project Data (Page 1 of PDF submittal)
   This information must be presented in the first page of your digital submittal binder and must provide the following details in the order listed below:
   Total word count = Maximum 500 in bullet or paragraph form. Font size minimum 10 point.
   1. Name of project
   2. Type of project, if applicable
   3. Project Size, if applicable
   4. Cost per Square Foot and overall construction cost (if allowed to be shared publicly), if applicable
   5. Program summary (250 words or less)
   6. Project completion date
   7. Project location
2. Project Narrative: (Page 2 of PDF submittal) A one-page written description of the project to include project synopsis of the design achievements. Verifiable client testimonies encouraged. Total word count = Maximum 500 in bullet or paragraph form. Font size minimum 10 point.
   • For a Research and Development submission, describe the intention of the Research and Development and describe your conclusions at the end of the investigation.
3. Framework for Design Excellence Narrative: (Page 3 of PDF submittal) Describe how the project addresses at least 3 of the 10 measures of the COTE Framework for Design Excellence. Maximum word count is up to 250 words per measure. Entries also submitted for the sustainability category may use any three of the narrative responses within the Design Excellence Common App. Every submission is required to complete this section of the submittal, whether it is being submitted for the sustainability category or not. All projects should be environmentally responsible – addressing the way our projects incorporate the Framework for Design Excellence will help prepare submitters interested in submitting for national AIA awards.
   • For a Research and Development submission, describe how your project demonstrates excellence in the R&D category and responds to the IRS’ 4 part R&D qualifications. Or, if your R&D project includes sustainability criteria, please describe using the COTE Framework for Design Excellence.
4. Supporting Images including photographs, drawings, diagrams, floor plans: (Pages 4 – 17 maximum of PDF submittal) These pages are meant to graphically represent the project to the jury. Pages may include photographs, diagrams, plans, sections, elevations, spreadsheets or other tools of investigation and analysis, and any other illustrative drawings that tell the story of the project. Renovations and additions should consider graphics and other images to distinguish between the initial conditions and the final product; and highlight re-use or adaptation.

8 – Online Verification Forms 

The entrant will be required to agree to the following items:

1. Project Data Verification: By completing this online submission and the accompanying digital PDF project submittal to the jury, the submitter certifies that all information that they provided is complete and accurate. Any errors or omissions are the responsibility of the entrant. The entrant also agrees to hold harmless AIA Colorado for any and all damage arising out of its use of information contained in this submittal.
2. Attribution: Entrants must be AIA members of the AIA Colorado chapter residing in Colorado and in good standing as licensed architects, who have served as either the Design Architect or the Architect-of-Record for the project submitted. Furthermore, all other participants contributing substantially to the design of the project must be given credit as part of the submission, regardless of professional discipline. Should an entrant receive an award for a project that is later determined to have been substantially completed by a design professional not belonging to AIA Colorado, or proper credit to additional design firms has not been given, that award is subject to repeal.
3. Declaration Policy: The entrant and/or submitting firm does not utilize, employ, or otherwise engage labor that is unpaid, including working students. The candidate acknowledges this wording shall cover all persons working under their employ, regardless of position or title. Exceptions recognized by Federal law (such as legally defined internships or educational cooperative programs) are exempt from this Policy. This entrant further acknowledges that they have not utilized any unpaid labor as defined above for a minimum of five (5) years prior to the application deadline.
4. EDI Declaration: The entrant and/or submitting firm is expected to be familiar with and abide by the AIA Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct. By agreeing to this, you confirm that you have read the document and will uphold the AIA diversity and inclusion statement. Furthermore, AIA Colorado encourages all members to read the Guides for Equitable Practice and establish policies that promote equity, diversity, and inclusion.
5. Owner Release: Each entrant must verify that permission has been obtained from the Owner/ Client. Additionally, the entrant grants permission to AIA Colorado to use the submitted material for editorial and professional education purposes through various channels including in scheduled awards presentations, printed materials, website listings and audiovisual presentations.
6. Photographer and Photograph Release: The entrant has obtained permission from the photographer to include submitted images in the application. The entrant understands that the submission photos may be used, with proper credit, on AIA Colorado’s website and/or in other AIA Colorado communications and marketing.

To help demystify the submission process, we are sharing a curated selection of past award-winning entries as reference examples. These submissions are intended to provide insight into how different teams approach storytelling, project framing, and visual communication within the awards format. They reflect a range of project types, scales, and presentation styles, offering multiple ways to think about crafting a strong submission. These examples are meant to inform and inspire, not to be replicated, and should be viewed as guides to help you shape your own clear, compelling, and original entry.

2025 

Aiken Audubon Research Outpost
Firm: ColoradoBuildingWorkshop at the University of Colorado Denver
Architect: Erik Sommerfeld, AIA
Design Award of Excellence 

Museum of Nebraska Art (MONA)
Firm: BVH Architecture
Architect: Mark Bacon, AIA
Design Award of Excellence

LAWS Whiskey House
Firm: BOSS.architecture
Architect: Kevin Stephenson, AIA
Design Award of Excellence

Betasso Overlook
Firm: Renée del Gaudio Architecture
Architect: Renée del Gaudio
Design Award Honorable Mention

The Mothership
Firm: Shopworks Architecture
Architect: Chad Holtzinger, AIA
Design Award Honorable Mention

2024

1 Line
Firm: One Line
Architect: Tim Politis, AIA
Design Award of Excellence

ASPEN | WEST END
Firm: RO | ROCKETT DESIGN
Architect: Jason Ro, AIA
Design Award of Excellence

Denver Courtyard House
Firm: Meridian 105
Architect: Chad Mitchell, AIA
Design Award of Merit

2023

Englewood Passive House Duplex
Firm: Shape Architecture Studio
Architect: Steve Scribner, AIA
Design Award of Excellence 

Fairplay Cabin
Firm: BOSS.architecture
Architect: Kevin Stephenson, AIA
Design Award Honorable Mention

2022

Berkeley Hotel
Firm: Meridian 105
Architect: Chad Mitchell, AIA 
Design Award of Merit

2021

Goatbarn Lane
Firm: Renée del Gaudio Architecture
Architect: Renée del Gaudio, AIA
Design Award of Excellence

PLEASE NOTE: Awards and Honors given to recipients on behalf of AIA Colorado are based upon the nominations and supporting material provided by the nominee or their professional peers.

AIA Colorado members are dedicated to high ethical and professional standards. Accordingly, recipients are expected to conduct themselves in an exemplary manner befitting their recognition as the best among us. AIA Colorado reserves the absolute right to elevate or disqualify any submission and may at any time rescind an award previously bestowed.

Questions? Contact Jon Bell, AIA Colorado Communications & Creative Director.