Compelling architectural research is conducted in universities and in firms all over Virginia. Firms pursue research to further the interest of staff, develop innovative ideas, and as a means to maintain productivity for staff during down periods. The VSAIA Prize for Design Research & Scholarship was created in 2008 as one means of encouraging a healthy dialogue between researchers in the universities and the firms. Last year’s prize was awarded to Edward R. Ford, AIA, Vincent and Eleanor Shea Professor at the University of Virginia, for the work presented in his book The Architectural Detail.
The VSAIA Prize for Design Research & Scholarship will be awarded to a licensed, practicing architect in Virginia or a faculty member at a Virginia institution of higher learning for outstanding design research and/or scholarship in the field of architecture.
Eligible papers or articles include those that have been submitted but are pending acceptance, or those that have been published in a journal or conference proceedings within the past two years. Research projects or innovative project case-studies completed within the past three years and summarized in a paper or article are also eligible. Submissions will be judged on originality, impact, purpose, method, and conclusions.
Entry forms and payment are due by 5 p.m., Friday, June 15 and submissions are due by 5 p.m. on Thursday, June 28. The winner will be announced in September. Recognition for the Prize will be given by the Virginia Society AIA at Architecture Exchange East, the annual conference and expo, held Nov. 7-9, 2012, in Richmond. The Prize for Design Research & Scholarship is sponsored by MTFA Architecture.