Eligibility

Call For Submissions:

The 16th Annual AIA East Bay Design Awards program recognizes excellence in Architectural Design by AIA East Bay Chapter members, AIA members from other Chapters who have completed projects within the four counties represented by the AIA East Bay Chapter (Alameda, Contra Costa, Napa & Solano), and projects located within the four counties designed by non-AIA affiliated Architects but who have at least one AIA East Bay member on their design team for the submitted project.

Projects that honor the earth’s precious resources, are empathetic to site context and promote social equity while equally striving to celebrate the art and the science of Architecture will be strongly encouraged for submission.

All submissions are evaluated by a panel of accomplished jurors, distinguished for their contribution to the profession of Architecture and Design.

NOTE: For all Built Project submissions use this form. For Student and Unbuilt Projects use this form to submit.

Schedule:

• Deadline for submissions: September 22nd, 2024, at 11:59 PT.
• Design Awards Reception & Presentation Gala: November 14th, 2024. 
• David Brower Center, 2150 Allston Way, Berkeley, CA 94704

Eligibility:

Projects designed by AIA East Bay Chapter members located anywhere in the world.

Projects designed by any AIA members which are located within the counties of Alameda, Contra Costa, Napa or Solano.

Projects designed by non-AIA affiliated Architects which are located within the counties of Alameda, Contra Costa, Napa or Solano, who have an AIA East Bay Chapter member on their design team for the submitted project. 

Built Projects must have been completed since January 1st, 2021, and have not previously received an AIA East Bay Design Award.

Projects must be complete at the time of submission except for those submitted to the Unbuilt or Student category.

Categories:

All submissions will be evaluated within the following categories:

• Adaptive Reuse, Renovation or Historic Preservation: Renovations of existing buildings, renovations or preservations of existing buildings, historic preservation of building with a historic background, or buildings where the original intent has been transformed for a new purpose
• Mixed-Use: Buildings with commercial and residential properties
• Single Family Residential: Any residential space intended for one family
• Multi-Family Residential: Any residential space intended for two or more families. This category should not include university dorms, hotels, or any other commercial, institutional or education project
• Institutional/Education: Hospitals, medical centers, all types of schools, universities, and campuses
• Large Civic Projects: Courthouses, law enforcement facilities, and community centers
• Commercial: Hotels, large corporate offices, and retail spaces
• Interior Architecture: Tenant improvements and any project where the interior of a built project has been updated and enhanced
• Small Project, Object: Projects under $500,000 fabrication and installation budget. This could include an art sculpture or art installation
• Small Project, Structure: Projects under a $1,000,000 construction budget. This could include a pool house or accessory dwelling unit
• Student Project: Projects completed by students that are actively enrolled or recently graduated from a school located within the counties of Alameda, Contra Costa, Napa or Solano.  Student Submissions Form Here
  
• Unbuilt Project: Projects that have not been built. This might be a passion project of yours or just a great design that is still not built for whatever reason. The only criteria being that either you or your project have a connection with the East Bay. Unbuilt Projects Submissions Form Here.
  

There are three possible Award levels for each catagory, Honor is our highest award level, followed by Merit & Citation. All awards and levels are at the jury’s discretion. Depending on submissions, not all categories may be represented in the final awards distribution. Judges reserve the right to move projects or combine categories as they see fit. 

Special Awards:

Peoples Choice: AIA East Bay community members vote on their top choice of projects nominated from any category on the day of the event.

Beyond Award: The “Beyond Award” celebrates designs that transcend the visible, embracing inclusivity and equity, pushing the boundaries of innovation to reshape our world sustainably and creatively.