DESIGN AWARD CATEGORIES

ARCHITECTURE

Designers may submit projects of all types (including residential design) for consideration in the Architecture category. In their deliberations, the jury will consider aesthetics, adherence to the client program, proven and projected building performance, and concept development. An entry may be one building or a related group of buildings forming a single project. The work may also include any completed improvement designed by the submitting Architect including Parks and Plazas.

DESIGN FOR CONTEXT

Awards in this category recognize outstanding architecture that reflects the history, culture, and physical character of its surroundings while also contributing to the function, beauty, and meaning of the larger context. Both contemporary and historical design responses are eligible. Evaluation criteria include:

• How does the design contribute to the architectural vocabulary of the surrounding physical context through tangible qualities such as scale, form, and materials?

• How does the design respond to the place’s history and culture?

• How does the design creatively embody the identity or mission of the place?

EXTENDED USE

AIA Blue Ridge welcomes submissions of Historic Preservation or Adaptive Use projects that highlight strategies and technologies for preserving, reusing, and restoring existing buildings. Projects submitted under Extended Use can fall into one of two categories:

Adaptive or Continued Use
Projects submitted in this category should include either a renovation within an existing building or new construction that expands an existing structure or site. The intent of this award is to recognize thoughtful interventions that create synergy between old and new construction, improve functionality, energy-efficiency, meet contemporary standards for comfort and utility, and/or capitalize on the embodied energy of an existing structure.

Historic Preservation
The Historic Preservation category includes restoration and rehabilitation of historically significant buildings, focusing specifically on excellence in strategies, tactics, and technologies that advance the art, craft, and science of preservation. The jury will also take into consideration adherence to state and national criteria for historic preservation.

INTERIORS

Interior architecture projects of distinction will evince mastery of composition, functionality, material and color palettes, and well-integrated adherence to the highest levels of accessibility, health and safety, environmental, and occupant-comfort considerations, standards, and regulations.

SMALL PROJECTS

Design excellence can be achieved, no matter the size or scope of a project. These awards celebrate projects with modest budgets that have a substantial impact. Projects must be under 5,000 square feet or under $150,000 in construction cost.

STUDENT WORK

AIA Blue Ridge invites submissions of built or unbuilt projects by Designers currently enrolled in an Architecture School in the AIA Blue Ridge Region or who currently reside in the AIA Blue Ridge region and have been out of school no more than 3 years.

AWARD LEVELS

Three levels of awards may be given in each of the four categories: Honor, Merit, and Citation, of which Honor is the highest distinction. 

• Honor is awarded to projects which demonstrate the highest standards of design and innovation through a commitment to excellence in architectural design. 

• Merit is awarded to projects which demonstrate a commitment to excellence in architectural design. 

• The jury may also choose to award a Citation to projects of notable accomplishment in a specific area, like an Honorable Mention.