AIASF Design Awards

The AIA San Francisco (AIASF) Design Awards program honors transformative achievements in architecture, interior design, and unbuilt work. This program celebrates the power of design to shape a better world by fostering innovation, championing sustainability, and advancing social responsibility. Through this recognition, AIASF aims to inspire architects, designers, and visionaries to push boundaries, elevate communities, and create spaces that resonate with beauty, purpose, and impact. 

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Submission Guidelines

January 10, 2025
Submissions open

February 13, 2025, 1:00 pm
Early Submission Deadline

March 6, 2025, 1:00 pm
Regular Submission Deadline

March 2025
Jury Deliberations & Technical Review

March 2025
Semi-finalists announced

April 24, 2025, 6:00 pm
Design Awards Ceremony & Reception at Herbst Theatre

Architecture 
Celebrate the transformative power of architecture to shape communities and redefine the built environment. This category honors visionary projects exemplifying design excellence, sustainability, and innovation. 

Interior Architecture 
Recognize the artistry and creativity that bring interior spaces to life. This category showcases projects that seamlessly blend form and function, creating environments that elevate the human experience and reflect the unique essence of their purpose. 

Unbuilt Design 
Embrace the bold potential of design in its purest conceptual form. This category honors innovative and forward-thinking ideas that challenge conventional boundaries and offer visionary solutions to the challenges of tomorrow. 

Submissions may include optional information for additional consideration in the following focus areas. If your project aligns with one of these areas, please provide the details outlined in the submission portal. 

Historic Preservation 
Projects honoring the past while integrating modern techniques. Details may include preservation strategies, sustainable practices, or innovative materials. 

Social Responsibility 
Designs addressing societal challenges and creating equitable, inclusive spaces. Highlight community benefits, health and safety outcomes, or resilience strategies. 

Technology 
Projects showcasing innovative tools or techniques that enhance collaboration, environmental performance, or project impact. 

Urban Design 
Designs transforming urban spaces, contributing to sustainable development, walkability, and community connectivity. 

Small Project 
Projects showcasing the value of design regardless of a limited size and budget. 

  • Small project construction, object, work of environmental art, or architectural design element up to $250,000 in construction cost. 

  • Small project construction up to $2.5 million in construction cost. 

  • Small project construction, object, work of environmental art, or architectural design under 5,000 square feet. 
  • Open to AIA San Francisco members and non-members. Avoid identifying firm details in materials provided to the jury.
  • Projects must be executed or designed within a 30-mile radius of 140 Sutter Street (SF, CA 94104).
  • Previous winners of the AIASF Design Awards cannot reapply with the same project.
  • Construction must be completed within five (5) years of the final submission deadline for built categories.
Early Submission (February 13, 2025)
AIASF member: $230
General: $420
Student: $10
Regular Submission (March 6, 2025)
AIASF member: $285
General: $475
Student: $40
All winners will be recognized for their achievements at the Design Awards Ceremony and Reception on April 24, 2025, at the Herbst Theatre and Green Room. Winning projects will be featured on the AIASF website, social media channels, and in e-mail communications.

Project Information

  • Name, location, floor area, building type, date of completion/design, and cost.
  • 50-word summary, for publication.
  • 250-word summary detailing design objectives and outcomes.

Images and Diagrams

  • Up to ten (10) images.
  • Annotated diagrams, sections, and elevations (optional).

Building Performance Data

  • Aligned with the AIA Framework for Design Excellence, the submission form encourages designs that contribute to a zero-carbon, equitable, resilient, and healthy environment. The form includes metrics for resilience, ecological stewardship, and equity.

Design Team Information

  • Comprehensive list of contributors for recognition.

Special Recognitions (Optional)

  • 250-word summary responding to the focus area.
  • Demolition plan (Historic Preservation Only).

Photo Release

  • By submitting photographs for the AIASF Design Awards, participants grant AIASF the right to use images from a winning entry for awards presentations, websites, and general press releases. Photo credits will appear adjacent to each reproduced image.

Week of January -, 2025
Submissions open

February 13, 2025, 1:00 pm
Early Submission Deadline

February 27, 2025, 1:00 pm
General Submission Deadline

March 2025
Jury Deliberations & Technical Review


April 24, 2025, 6:00 pm
Design Awards Ceremony at Herbst Theatre

Eligibility

  • Q: Our firm is not based in San Francisco, but we recently completed a project in the Bay Area. Are we eligible?
    A: Yes, as long as either the firm or the project is located within 30 miles of San Francisco.
  • Q: Can projects completed outside the U.S. be submitted?
    A: Yes, if the San Francisco office of your firm was the lead design team.

Students

  • Q: I’m enrolled in design classes part-time. Am I eligible for the student rate?
    A: No. The student rate is for full-time architectural or design students only.

Submissions

  • Q: Can I submit the same project to multiple categories?
    A: Yes, but each submission requires a separate registration and fee.
  • Q: Do I need to complete my submission by the deadline, or is it enough to start the application?
    A: A completed application must be submitted by the deadline.
  • Q: Is it required to submit to additional recognition areas, like Sustainability or Historic Preservation?
    A: No, projects must be submitted to one of the main categories (Architecture, Interior Architecture, or Unbuilt Design). Additional recognition areas are optional.

Technical Requirements

  • Q: I’m having trouble accessing submission templates. Can I request them directly?
    A: Yes. If you encounter any issues, please contact awards@aiasf.org.
  • Q: Can I include multiple images within a single file?
    A: Yes, this year we are allowing one PDF upload containing multiple images. Ensure the PDF is clear and high quality. Photo credits must be provided for each image if different photographers are used. Submissions identifying your firm will be disqualified.
  • Q: Can I include captions with my images?
    A: Yes, captions are allowed, but they must not obscure the images. Ensure the text is legible on-screen for the jury.
  • Q: Does image orientation matter?
    A: No, but including a mix of vertical and horizontal images is recommended for publication purposes if your project is selected.
  • Q: Do I need to complete the Sustainable Design Supplement for an Unbuilt project?
    A: If performance data is unavailable, mark “Not Available” in the relevant fields. Descriptive and strategic narratives are still required to provide context for the jury.

Recognition

  • Q: How are award-winning projects recognized?
    A: Winning projects are celebrated at the ceremony, displayed in the Design Awards exhibition, and featured on the AIASF website.
  • Q: Are projects that do not win an award recognized?
    A: No, but residential entries are also considered for AIASF’s annual Home Tours program.