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 and 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.

DISTINGUISHED ACHIEVEMENT

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.

• A brief biography and complete resume/curricula vitae.

• Images where design achievements are to be included in the evaluative criteria.

• At least one letter of support from a colleague or AIA Blue Ridge member in good standing.

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.

ENTRY REGULATIONS

This program is not a competition, but a recognition of built and unbuilt projects deemed worthy of acknowledgment by independent juries. There is no specific number of awards to be granted. Entries that do not conform with the eligibility requirements below will be disregarded.

ELIGIBILITY

All entries must be the work of licensed architects, students, or Associate Members who work in an office or study in the AIA Blue Ridge area or are members of AIA Blue Ridge.

The submitting designer may qualify as a member of the design team, whether or not serving as the head of that team. Where one individual is not the sole author, all other persons substantially contributing to the design of the project must be given credit as part of the submission, regardless of professional discipline. Project authorship will remain concealed throughout the judging process.

The location of projects is not restricted, but any built work submitted must have been completed after January 1, 2016. Unbuilt professional work will also be considered, as long as it was commissioned by a client as opposed to hypothetical work completed in the mode of research or academic training.

IMAGE RELEASE

The submitting designer shall clear all drawings and photographs for unrestricted release and reproduction in connection with publicity of the program including, but not limited to, print media, web media, and exhibition.

FEES (per entry): First / Subsequent

AIA Members: $100 / $75

Associate Members: $50 / $35

Non-AIA Members: $200 / $150

Students: $20 / $20

SCHEDULE

Submissions should be emailed to contact@aiablueridge.org by July 31, 2026 at 5 pm.

Minimum (2) PDF files and (1) image file required per entry. The Presentation Board is optional, but encouraged.