Categories
To achieve these goals, the AIA Columbus Architecture Awards Program has six (6) categories:
Large Project (recommended: 5,000 sf and over)
The Large Project Category is for projects that are around 5,000 square feet and over. It recognizes design excellence for completed architecture executed in projects that are around 5,000 square feet and over, of all types of buildings, restoration, preservation, and adaptive re-use. If a project wins in this category, it cannot be submitted later in another category.
Small Project (recommended: less than 5,000 sf)
The Small Project Category is for projects that are roughly less than 5,000 square feet. It recognizes design excellence for completed architecture executed in projects that are roughly less than 5,000 square feet, of all types of buildings, restoration, preservation, and adaptive re-use. If a project wins in this category, it cannot be submitted later in another category.
Residential (no maximum or minimum sf)
The Residential Project Category recognizes design excellence for completed one to three family residential architecture. Projects of all types including new buildings, restoration, renovation, additions, preservation, and adaptive re-use are encouraged to submit. If a project wins in this category, it cannot be submitted later in another category.
Interior Architecture
The Interior Architecture Category is for completed building interiors. The projects may be large or small in scope and may involve new construction, adaptive re-use, restoration, or preservation. If a project wins in this category, it cannot be submitted later in another category.
Architectural Detail
The Architectural Detail Category recognizes an instance in which the details of a project are executed in an artful way, celebrating the relationship between architecture and craft through materials, detail, or technology. To be eligible for an award in this category the project must be realized/built. If a project detail submitted in this category wins an AIA Columbus Architecture Award, the larger, full project can be submitted in another category later.
Unbuilt Work
The Unbuilt Work Category recognizes design excellence in projects scheduled to be built, as well as those that will never be built. Submissions may be commissioned or self-generated, research, or speculation. If a project wins in this category, it cannot be submitted later in another category.
What Projects are Eligible?
- A Large Project, Small Project, Interior Architecture, Residential, or Architectural Detail entry may be any building or complex of buildings, constructed anywhere in the world, and substantially completed after January 1, 2021.
- An Unbuilt Work entry may be any building or complex of buildings scheduled to be built as well as those that will never be built. Competition entries, speculative research, etc. are all viable submissions.
- Firms that have performed services in association with another architecture firm must:
- have performed no less than 50% of the architectural work
- acknowledge the other architect(s) in all submission items
- identify the Design Architect and the Architect of Record
- Please refer to AIA Code of Ethics for acknowledging other architects involved in your submitted projects
- A project submitted in the Residential Project category may not also be submitted in the Small Project category, or vice versa.
- AIA Columbus members (AIA) and non-AIA members who are registered architects practicing within AIA Columbus boundaries are eligible to submit entries for Large Project, Small Project, Interior Architecture, Residential, or Architectural Detail categories.
- AIA Columbus members (AIA or Assoc. AIA) and non-AIA members who are registered architects practicing within the AIA Columbus boundaries are eligible to submit entries for Unbuilt Work.
- Firms that operate from multiple offices or branches, representing multiple AIA chapters, may only submit entries wherein the primary design phases were performed by the Columbus office or branch.
- Firms are encouraged to enter previously submitted non-winning projects and those which have won awards in other programs, given they were substantially completed after January 1, 2021.
Nothing that identifies the firm in any way is permitted on any of the project presentation submissions.
Framework for Design Excellence
Design is not just about aesthetic components, but how buildings perform for people. The Framework for Design Excellence is made up of 10 measures, formerly known as the COTE Top Ten. It organizes our thinking, facilitates conversations with our clients and the communities we serve, and sets meaningful goals and targets for climate action.
This year we are requiring Small, Large, Interior Architecture, and Unbuilt submissions to link to at least three of the 10 measures and give a brief description how it connects to the measure. For Residential submissions, we require you to link to at least one of the 10 measures. If you are submitting for Architectural Detail, it is not required but recommended.
They are:
Optional “Framework” Questions:
In line with AIA Columbus' strategic plan, the awards application now includes additional questions that reinforce the Framework for Design Excellence and the 2030 Commitment. These questions are optional, and responses will not be shared with the jury. This information expands the understanding of the project scope and building performance metrics as advanced through the Framework for Design Excellence.
Awards and Judging
There are two designations of awards, Honor Award and Merit Award. A panel of distinguished architects and designers will review project entries to determine outstanding achievement in design by Columbus architects. The size, scope, category, or cost of a project in no way limits its eligibility or level of award. The jury will consider each project based on its own unique program, needs, and challenges.
Submitters will not be notified in advance if their project wins an award. Awards will be announced at the Architecture Awards Ceremony, October 29, 2026.
All award winners will receive one (1) plaque. Additional plaques for clients, consultants, and collaborators can be purchased by the entrant, and ordered after the Architecture Awards ceremony. AIA Columbus will promote and recognize winners on the AIA Columbus website, newsletters, exhibit, and awards publications. A press release will be sent to the local media.
Frequently Asked Questions
How will I know if my submission has been received?
Upon submitting your entry, you will receive a confirmation email containing your submission details. Please check your junk mail folder if you do not receive your confirmation email.
Do I have to start and finish my submission in one session?
No. You can start your submission, save it, and come back to finish it before the deadline date.
Can I revise my submission after I have hit the ‘Save and Finalize’ button?
Yes, but you will need to contact Gabby Bennett at [email protected] to receive the correct permission to revise the entry.
Please send any questions regarding the 2026 AIA Columbus Architecture Awards to Gabby Bennett at [email protected].
Past Architecture Awards
2026 AIA Columbus Awards Schedule
-
- Tuesday, June 9, 2026
- Monday, July 13, 2026
- Monday, August 17, 2026
- Monday, August 24, 2026
- Late August 2026
- Thursday, October 29, 2026
Call for entries opens
End of Early bird discount for fully submitted projects
Project submissions due
Entry fee payment due ($25 late payment fee)
Jury review.
Architecture Awards Ceremony at the Columbus Museum of Art
How to Submit
The submission process is entirely digital. This simplifies submission management for AIA Columbus and should make submitting a project easier as well.
All entry forms, project information, and file uploads will be handled through the online submission site. After creating an application, you may begin working on forms and uploading the required files. You can save your work as you go and return to the site as often as needed. All submission materials must be completed and submitted by August 17, 2026.
Entry Fees
Early Bird Rate for projects submitted by July 13, 2026
- AIA Columbus Members: $200 per project
- Non-AIA Members: $400 per project
Projects submitted July 14, 2026 - August 17, 2026
- AIA Columbus Members: $250 per project
- Non-AIA Members: $450 per project
Payment Info
- To pay by credit card (online link), please contact Gabby at the AIA Columbus office at [email protected]. We accept MasterCard, Visa, Discover, or an ACH.
- Check payments, payable to AIA Columbus, can be sent to the office at 50 West Town St., Suite 110, Columbus, OH 43215.
- Your project will not be sent to the jurors until payment has been made. We will assess a $25 late payment fee if payment is not made by August 24, 2026.
Image Requirements
Marketing Image:
You will be required to submit an image that represents the project. Please include photographer credit for AIA publicity purposes.
- The marketing image must be a high quality JPG at 300 dpi (ideally 8" x 10")
Additional Image Requirements:
- Drawings shall be clear with scale shown
- Exterior images should show the building in context and should show the primary exposed sides of the building.
- Nothing that identifies the firm in any way is permitted on any of the slides.
- All images must show accurate representation of the project
The file upload section encourages images along with additional succinct annotation. The format and design of the pages are at the entrant’s discretion. Please include photographs, drawings, floor plans, elevations, sections, renderings, and graphic images as necessary to provide a clear understanding of the extent and quality of the finished project. Please label images with suitable titling and captions under ‘Name of File’.
Image Suggestions
The following are suggested guidelines for project presentation information:
For Built Work submissions involving both interior and exterior design (Large Project, Small Project):
- One (1) Site Plan drawing showing site in context
- One (1) Floor Plan drawing
- One (1) Section drawing
- Three (3) exterior photographic images
- Two (2) interior photographic images
- Up to (6) optional images. Optional images may be singular or composite - photos, drawings and/or diagram
For Residential Work submissions:
- One (1) Site or Floor Plan
- Two (2) Exterior photographic image, if scope of submission has an exterior component
- Three (3) Interior photographic images
- Up to eight (8) optional images. Optional images may be singular or composite - photos, drawings and/or diagrams. If a project is an addition or restoration at least one (1) of the images shall be used to show existing conditions.
For Built Work submissions involving interior architecture only:
- One (1) Floor Plan drawing
- One (1) Section drawing
- Four (4) Interior photographic images
- Up to (8) Optional images. Optional images may be singular or composite - photos, drawings and/or diagrams
For Built Work submissions involving restoration, preservation, and adaptive reuse:
- Two of the optional images shall be used for existing condition images
For Unbuilt Work submissions:
- One (1) Site Plan drawing showing site in context
- One (1) Floor Plan drawing
- One (1) Section drawing
- Up to (11) optional images. Optional images may be singular or composite - photos, drawings and/or diagrams
For Architecture Detail submissions:
- One (1) plan detail and/or one (1) section detail
- Three (3) images with at least one (1) image showing context
- Up to six (6) optional images - photos, drawings and/or diagrams