AIA Virginia’s Awards for Excellence in Architecture recognize outstanding design, built and unbuilt, from the past seven years. Also known as the Design Awards, the program is juried by a team of esteemed practitioners. No specific number of awards is set, and the program is open to all categories of building as well as interiors projects. 

Each entry will be judged on how successful the project is in meeting its individual requirements. Consideration is given to aesthetics, social impact, innovation, context, performance, and stewardship of the natural environment, with particular emphasis on the Framework for Design Excellence. Recognizing that every project is different and may not respond to every measure within the Framework, the jury will consider each design holistically and within context.

All entries must be the work of architects who are members of AIA Virginia or non-member architects with an office in Virginia. The entrant must be a contributor to the design team. To be eligible to receive the member discount, the entrant must be a member of AIA Virginia.  You can become an unassigned member of AIA Virginia here: https://www.aiava.org/unassigned-membership-2/

Entry Process
AIA Virginia accepts entries onlineNote: You should be prepared to provide your submission materials upon entry. Please see the complete regulations, eligibility requirements, and frequently asked questions for more information.

The Call for Entries for 2024 will open in April 2024.

Entry deadline: 5 p.m. on June 28, 2024. This is a firm deadline. 

Award Categories
See complete descriptions of each category  

  • Architecture
  • Design for Context
  • Extended Use
       *  Historic Preservation
       *  Adaptive or Continued Use (renovations, additions, or other adaptations to existing buildings)
  • Interiors
  • Residential
  • Small Projects
       *  Up to $150,000 in construction cost
       *  Up to $500,000 in construction cost
       *  Under 5,000 square feet
  • Unbuilt Architecture

Please see the complete regulations, eligibility requirements, and frequently asked questions for more information.

Questions? Contact info@aiava.org.

See the past honorees:

2023 honorees
2022 honorees
2021 honorees
2020 honorees
2019 honorees
2018 honorees
2017 honorees
2016 honorees
2015 honorees
2014 honorees
2013 honorees