Regulations and FAQs

This program is not a competition but a recognition of built and un-built projects deemed worthy of acknowledgement by three independent juries. There is no specific number of awards to be granted. Jury recognition will be given by the VSAIA in the form of a certificate. Winners shall provide high-resolution images of their projects within two weeks of notification on Aug. 26, 2011.

The Awards for Excellence will accept only electronic submissions. Binders are no longer accepted.

Each entry shall be submitted as described below.  Entries submitted in an unspecified manner will be disregarded.

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

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 jury’s deliberation.

Winners shall provide high-resolution images (300 dpi) of their projects within two weeks of notification to program organizers.

Fees

Virginia Society AIA Members:
$175 for the first project
$150 for each additional project

Virginia Society AIA Associate Members:
$80 for the first project
$80 for each additional project

Non-members (must have an office located in Virginia):
$225 for the first project
$195 for each additional project

What to do:

1. Complete registration and payment online by 4 p.m. on June 30, 2011.
2. Assemble the Concealed Identification PDF and the Project PDF
3. Submit projects by 4 p.m. on July 21, 2011.

To register, go to Design Awards Registration

To submit projects, upload two portable document files (PDFs)

PDF#1    Concealed Identification PDF to be titled concealedid.pdf

WILL INCLUDE

• Project name and address
• Owner’s name, address, email address, and phone number
• Designer’s name, address, email address, and phone number
• Contractor’s name, address, email address, and phone number
• Photographer’s name, address, email address, and phone number

PDF#2    Project PDF to be titled project.pdf

WILL NOT EXCEED 15MB and 8.5×11 inches in SIZE.

WILL INCLUDE    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 the project. Also encouraged are concept sketches that communicate the development of the project and/or its method of construction

Frequently Asked Questions

Q:           I’m not a member of the VSAIA, but someone on my project team is. Can I submit at the lower “member” rate?

A:            Yes. But, please indicate the name of the VSAIA Member on the design team.

Q:           Can Allied Members of the VSAIA submit?

A:            Absolutely.

Q:           Is check or credit card preferable?

A:            We do not accept checks. We accept VISA, MasterCard, and American Express.

Q:           I will be submitting multiple projects—do I register all of them separately?

A:            No, you can record multiple projects in one registration session.

Q:           Can I include the name of our project on the introductory page of our Project PDF?

A:            Yes, just as long as it doesn’t identify the submitting firm in any way.

Q:           I see that you have a 15MB and 6-page limit on the Project PDF—isn’t that rather small?

A:            Yes, but that size ensures that your submission file will be easy to manage and open.

Q:           What if my Project PDF exceeds six pages?

A:            Anything beyond 6 pages will be excluded from the jury’s deliberations.

Q:           Is there a limit to the number of images that we include?

A:            No, as long as the entire file does not exceed 15MB.

Q:           Can we include text on our Project PDF?

A:            Yes, as much as you’d like.

Q:           Does my Project PDF have to be 8.5×11 inches, or can it be 11×17 inches?

A:            8.5×11 inches only, please.

Q:           Can I sneak-in a few extra images on the Concealed Identification PDF?

A:            No, please leave that page unadorned. The jury will never see it in the first place; it is a “blind jury.”

Q:           Our submission will be a few days late—can we have an extension?

A:            No, the submission deadline is firm.

Q:           Will I receive a confirmation E-mail once I submit my firm’s projects?

A:            Yes, a confirmation email will be generated once the submission has been processed.

Q:           When will the jury review the submissions? When will the winners be announced?

A:            The jury will be held in August, and winners will be publically announced on Aug. 26, 2011. Please do not call before that date.