2026 AIA WV Excellence in Architecture Design Awards
Design Awards are Open for Submissions:
December 1, 2025
Submit your best work for the AIA West Virginia Design Awards! Beginning on December 1, 2025, we will accept entries through our form, linked below. This prestigious program recognizes outstanding architectural projects that exemplify excellence in design, innovation, and sustainability.
PROGRAM GOAL
Through its Annual Design Awards Program, AIA West Virginia recognizes excellence in architecture throughout West Virginia. The purpose of the awards program is to encourage and recognize distinguished architectural achievement and to honor the architects, clients, and consultants who work together to improve the built environment, acknowledging their role in shaping the quality of life through design excellence. Our annual program also aims to inform the public of the breadth and value of architectural practice, and the contributions of West Virginia architects. The primary intent of the Awards Program is to acknowledge AIA West Virginia members’ projects, regardless of location. To be eligible for a Design Award, the Architect of Record must be a member of AIA West Virginia and residing in West Virginia. The project should be located in West Virginia, or if outside West Virginia, eligible projects are limited to work completed by a West Virginia–based office staff that are members of AIA WV.
ELIGIBILITY
• Only AIA West Virginia Members in Good Standing are Eligible to Submit Projects.
• Projects Must be Located in West Virginia
or, if outside the state, must be work completed by a West Virginia–based office staff of AIA WV members.
• Projects of all Types, Sizes, & Budgets are Welcome.
• Projects Must Have Been Completed Within the Last Five Years
(except for the Unbuilt and 25-Year Award categories).
Submission Fee: $225 per entry, non refundable
Submissions Close: February 27, 2026
CATEGORIES
Entries are welcome regardless of project size, budget, style, building type or location-and from both established and new practitioners of large and small firms. New buildings, urban design projects, interiors, renovations, additions, and restorations are all eligible.
• New Construction (completed within last 5 years)
• Renovation/Restoration
• Interiors
• Sustainable Design
• Unbuilt Classification
Work completed through schematic design in the past 5 years. Project entry must be a commissioned project with an identifiable owner. Projects submitted in this category cannot be resubmitted in other categories at a later date.
• Residential
• Small Projects (less than $1,500,000 construction budget)
• Historic Preservation
Focuses specifically on excellence in strategies, tactics, and technologies that advance the art, craft, and science of preserving historically significant buildings and sites. The jury will also take into consideration adherence to local, state, and national criteria for historic preservation.
• Community Impact Award
• 25-Year Award
All entries must be a constructed work of architecture built over twenty-five years ago anywhere in West Virginia and still being used for the original purpose. The award recognizes projects of distinction that add value to their communities and have retained their original design intent. Only one 25-Year Award winner will be selected. Nominations must be submitted by an AIA WV member in good standing.
When a project could be described by more than one classification, it is at the juror’s discretion to award as many or few awards for each category as the jury believes are justified by the quality of the submissions. Jurors are not obligated to provide awards for each classification.
AWARD LEVELS
All submissions will be judged using the following award levels to be granted at the discretion of the jury:
• Honor Award
Reserved for those projects which stand out from all others. This highest honor recognizes projects that exemplify excellence of architectural design on all levels and the highest standards to which AIA members aspire. More than one Honor Award may be given, but there is no requirement to present an Honor Award each year.
• Merit Award
Granted to those projects which display a high standard of architectural quality and design.
• Citation Award
Recognizes notable achievements in one or more project aspects. Citations are not ranked above or below Merit Awards but serve as unique acknowledgements of specific achievements as determined by the jury.
JUDGING & EVALUATION CRITERIA
AIA West Virginia requests that each entry be judged for the success with which the project has met or exceeded its individual requirements. The jury is asked to consider the following in reviewing the submissions, if applicable:
• Overall Design Quality & Excellence
• Functionality
• Economy
• Sustainability
• Accessibility
• Creativity
• Craftsmanship
• Innovation
• Community Impact
The degree to which the project strengthens its community, enhances quality of life, and fosters meaningful connections among people.
In addition, consideration may be made to:
• The Building’s Integration of Materials
Ease of use to best serve the client; ability to draw people in to explore, experience, and feel welcome
• How the Project Relates to its Community & Users
• How the Project’s Design & Functionality Serve the Client
• Attention to Energy/Water Conservation & Environmentally Friendly Design Methods
• Life Cycle Costs & Maintainability
• Additional Criteria May be Established by the Jury at the Time of Review
Guidance for Jury Awards:
The jury is encouraged to recognize projects of distinguished merit while being mindful that the prestige of the awards is enhanced by selectivity. Historically, no more than 20–30% of total submissions receive awards. However, the jury retains full discretion in determining which categories receive awards and the number of awards at each level, consistent with these guidelines.
JURY COMMENTS
It is very important that jury comments be provided for each project following the selection of winners, no more than one week following Jury Review, while projects are fresh in the jurors’ minds. The Jury Chair will collaborate with the jury team in preparing the comments and forward them to AIA West Virginia in a timely manner.
• Winning Projects
Jury comments are included with the award recipient’s certificate and in all promotion and publication of the award-winning projects, as well as on the slide show presented during the Design Awards Gala. Jury comments are generally 3 to 5 sentences or a solid paragraph for each winning project; however, jurors may comment as much or as little as they deem appropriate. These comments should reflect the positive attributes of the project and demonstrate to the public the value of design excellence.
• Overall Program
The jury is also asked to prepare a summary statement on the overall quality of the Design Awards program submissions. This reflection helps AIA West Virginia understand trends in the profession, identify strengths, and note areas for improvement in future submissions.
• Non-Winning Projects
For non-winning submissions, the jury is strongly encouraged to provide constructive feedback. Many firms value this feedback as much as public recognition, as it helps them refine their work and future award submissions. These comments will remain confidential and will be shared only with the submitting architect.
CONFIDENTIALITY & CONFLICT OF INTEREST
Results of judging must remain strictly confidential until the awards ceremony.
Jurors should disclose and recuse themselves from judging any project in which they have participated, consulted, or have a financial or professional interest.
Download all 3 Templates & Guidelines below in order to enter the 2026 AIA WV Excellence in Architecture Design Awards:
AIA WV 2026 Design Awards PowerPoint Template that WILL be sent to the Jurors
This AIA WV Design Awards Concealed ID Form WILL NOT be sent to Jurors
AIA WV Design Awards Gala PowerPoint Template & Printed Display at the Gala. WILL NOT be seen by Jurors
If you have any questions about the Design Awards, application, submission processes, or the provided templates, please reach out to our Design Awards Chair or the Executive Director.
Image Credit:
The image credit for each image should be listed under each file upload.
Material submitted will be used by the AIA Kansas City Chapter for unrestricted publicity. Each entrant must ensure all elements of each submission are clear for reuse and reproduction. The Chapter will not assume responsibility for copyrights or photography ***. A photograph of each winning entry will be used for unrestricted newspaper and magazine publicity.
To Submit Your Entries:
A fee of $225.00 is required for each entry, and it is non-refundable. If you wish to pay by check - it will need to be postmarked by February 27, 2026.
Fill out the Form & Upload your two edited PowerPoints and Completed Concealed ID Form.
Submission Fee: $225 per entry, non refundable
Submissions Close: TBD
Recognition:
Award recipients will be recognized at the AIA West Virginia Design Awards Gala held in Morgantown, West Virginia, and featured in all AIA WV publications and media promotions following the event.
CRAFTSMANSHIP AWARD
PURPOSE
The Craftsmanship Award honors outstanding examples of artistic excellence and technical skill in the design and construction of specific building elements. This award celebrates the collaboration between architects and craftspeople, emphasizing the precision, creativity, and mastery that elevate a project beyond standard construction practice.
Recognized work may include, but is not limited to, woodwork, stained glass, metalwork, interior restoration, stone detailing, or large-scale art installations that contribute meaningfully to the character and experience of a building.
ELIGIBILITY
• The award is presented annually, with up to two honorees selected each year.
• All nominations must be submitted by an AIA West Virginia member.
• The work may be part of a larger project or a stand-alone installation.
• Both architects and craftspeople may be recognized for their contribution.
• Projects previously submitted for a Design Award are eligible for nomination if the craftsmanship is being independently recognized.
PAST HONOREES HAVE BEEN RECOGNIZED FOR
• Stained glass window design at the WV State Office Complex.
• Restoration of historic woodwork in a theater interior in Clarksburg.
• Artistic wall installation along the stairway at the Kanawha County Public Library.
• Custom chandelier fabrication for the Charleston Convention Center.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
All Craftsmanship Award entries must be submitted separately from Design Award entries using the online submission portal.
Each entry must include:
1. Project Description
A concise narrative describing the craftsmanship, materials, process, and reason for nomination.
2. Supporting Materials
Additional sketches, drawings, or illustrations (optional but encouraged). These must be uploaded digitally.
3. Photography
Minimum of three (3) and maximum of six (6) images that best capture the craftsmanship.
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Acceptable formats: .tif or .jpeg
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Maximum file size: 1 MB per image
4. Nomination Confirmation
Documentation verifying the nominating AIA WV member.
To Submit Your Entries:
Saturday, April 18, 2026
AIA WV Design Awards Gala & Scholarship Benefit
Hotel Morgan, 127 High Street, Morgantown, WV 26505
Celebrate architectural excellence at the AIA West Virginia Design Awards Gala, honoring the best in design and innovation across the state. Enjoy a formal awards presentation, networking opportunities, and an elegant evening among industry professionals and community leaders.
Tickets will be available in early March.