SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

To reduce the time and cost associated with the award submission process at the regional and state level, the 2026 AIA Blue Ridge Design + Honor Awards will accept electronic submissions following AIA Virginia guidelines. Only entries formatted and submitted as outlined below will be considered.

PRACTITIONERS

Complete submissions will require assembly of (2-3) digital PDF files and (1) image per entry.

PDF #1 – Concealed Identity PDF will be titled concealed_ID.pdf

• Include Project name and address

• Include Owner’s name, address, email, and phone number

• Include Designer’s name, address, email, and phone number

• Include Contractor’s name, address, email, and phone number

• Include Photographer’s name, address, email, and phone number

• Identify a single image or graphic from your submission that you would prefer to be used in AIA Blue Ridge outreach efforts.

PDF #2 – Project PDF up to (6) pages will be titled project.pdf

• 8.5×11 inches in size, not more than 10 MB.

• Page 1: brief project description (voided of the design firm’s name or logo) and category to which it is being submitted

• Pages 2, 3, 4, 5, 6: photographs, renderings, and/or plans/sections that provide a clear understanding of the project. Also encouraged are concept sketches that communicate the development of the project and/or its method of construction.

• All images must have a minimum resolution of 300 DPI.

PDF #3 (OPTIONAL) – Presentation Board PDF will be titled board.pdf

• A single, digital 24x36 landscape (horizontal) board not more than 10 MB in size.

• A brief project description.

• Drawings, photographs, renderings, and/or plans/sections that provide a clear understanding of the project. Also encouraged are concept sketches that communicate the development of the project and/or its method of construction

• All images must have a minimum resolution of 300 DPI.

• In absence of a submitted presentation board, a single page of the project pdf will be used for presentations ad publications.

Primary Image – Include a single image or graphic from your submission that you would prefer to be used in AIA Blue Ridge outreach efforts.

STUDENTS

Complete submissions will require assembly of (2) digital PDF files and (1) image per entry.

PDF #1 – Concealed Identity PDF will be titled concealed_ID.pdf

• Include Project name and location

• Include Designer’s name, address, email, and phone number

• Include University and Degree Program

• Include Professor’s name and email

• Identify a single image or graphic from your submission that you would prefer to be used in AIA Blue Ridge marketing efforts.

PDF #2 – Project PDF will be titled project.pdf

• A single, digital 24x36 landscape (horizontal) board not more than 10 MB in size.

• A brief project description.

• Drawings, photographs, renderings, and/or plans/sections that provide a clear understanding of the project. Also encouraged are concept sketches that communicate the development of the project and/or its method of construction

• All images must have a minimum resolution of 300 DPI.

Primary Image – Include a single image or graphic from your submission that you would prefer to be used in AIA Blue Ridge outreach efforts.

HONOR AWARDS

In a single PDF file of not more than 20 pages and not more than 10 MB, compile the following:

• Nominator’s statement: The statement should be no more than a paragraph and should include a concise description of the applicant and summarize how the nominee meets the criteria for the award.

• Narrative information: This information should detail nominee’s qualifications for award, citing specific examples related to evaluative criteria.

• Biographical information: This information should include education, professional history, volunteer efforts, and awards/recognition received by the candidate.

EMERGING PROFESSIONAL AWARDS

In a single PDF file of not more than 5 pages and not more than 10 MB, compile the following:

• Nominator’s statement: The statement should be no more than a paragraph and should include a concise description of the applicant and summarize how the nominee meets the criteria for the award.

• A brief biography and resume/curricula vitae, not to exceed 2 pages.

• A letter of support from a Supervisor or AIA Blue Ridge member in good standing.