AIA East Tennessee Design Award Winners
What are the Design Awards?
To recognize excellence in architecture, AIA East Tennessee conducts an annual juried Design Awards Program. This program seeks to honor built and unbuilt works of distinction designed by AIA members in East Tennessee and to serve as a catalyst for local participation in the AIA Tennessee Awards Program. The program also brings public attention to outstanding examples of architecture, cultivating an ongoing public interest in architectural excellence. This year’s program winners will be announced and celebrated at the 2025 Design Awards Gala on October 2nd at Jackson Terminal, displayed on the website, and in the membership newsletter. This competition is open to all members of AIA East Tennessee.
2025 Design Awards Jury
Mark Sanderson, FAIA, will chair the 2025 AIA East Tennessee Design Awards. Mark is a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects and a principal and co-founder of DIGSAU, a Philadelphia-based collaborative studio known for its inventive design thinking and commitment to social and ecological sustainability. Under his leadership, DIGSAU has received more than 80 design awards, including the AIA Pennsylvania Firm Award and recognition as an Emerging Voices firm by the Architectural League of New York. Mark brings a thoughtful, innovative perspective to a diverse portfolio of work, from residential to cultural and institutional projects, and contributes to the profession as a lecturer and critic at architecture schools nationwide.
Mark will be joined by Matthew Kreilich, FAIA, Design Principal of Snow Kreilich Architects, a Minneapolis-based firm recognized with the 2018 AIA National Architecture Firm Award for its finely crafted, contextually responsive work; Claire Weisz, FAIA, Hon. FRAIC, Hon. ASLA, founding principal of WXY architecture + urban design, an internationally acclaimed practice celebrated for its equitable, community-centered approach; and Elizabeth Whittaker, FAIA, founder and principal of Merge Architects, an award-winning Boston-based studio known for its contemporary craft and exploration of social ecology in design.
We look forward to the thoughtful discernment, depth of experience, and regionally informed perspectives this distinguished jury will bring to the 2025 Design Awards review of our Chapter’s work.
2024 AIA East Tennessee Design Awards Jury Coordinator
Andrew Newman, AIA
– 2025 Jury Coordinator
How to Enter
Just like last year, our submission template is in a 16×9 format, in partnership with AIA Tennessee. The electronic format facilitates a submission in which all images support the program statement. Each visual should have a purpose as it relates to the larger idea. The photos should contain some compelling information to make the statement readily understood from a quick scan. Be sure to label plans clearly, indicating a north arrow. Within each square, you can layer images and plans or place images side-by-side. Keep in mind the impact the image will make once projected on a large screen.
Submission Templates: (You must use one of these templates to submit your project for the 2025 AIA ETN Design Awards.)
Dates and Deadlines
1. Submit the Registration Form with Entry Fee by the deadline, July 25th at 5 PM.
2. Once you have submitted the registration form and entry fee, you will receive a project number after the July 21st deadline that you will use on all project slides.
3. Once you have received your project number, visit the Design Awards Submission Portal and submit your project. Multiple entries from one firm are assigned random code numbers to ensure fairness.
4. All electronic submission materials must be received by August 29th at 5 PM. Entries not following the submission guidelines outlined below will not be accepted.
4. The jury will view your submission during the week of September 12th.
Eligibility
Any architectural project completed since 2020 produced by, or in collaboration with, an AIA East Tennessee Chapter member is eligible for submission. Projects may have been executed anywhere in the United States. Firms are encouraged to submit previously submitted non-winning projects and those that have won awards in other programs. The Design Awards Program is open to architectural projects of all types, including unbuilt work. An entry may consist of one building, a related group of buildings forming a single project, or an interior design project. “Building” includes any new architectonic composition and the remodeling, rehabilitation, and/or preservation of existing structures. Unbuilt work prepared for academic purposes may not be submitted.
Awards
Awards will be designated by a jury of architects whose work and reputations have been nationally established.
Each project will be judged according to its own merit and how well it resolves the problem(s) addressed. Projects should also demonstrate the AIA national commitment to sustainability, resilience, and inclusivity as detailed in the AIA Framework for Design Excellence. Projects will not be judged in competition but by measuring the architect’s performance against each project’s potential. Design Awards can be given in three degrees: Honor, Merit, and Citation. Honor Awards, the top honor, will be granted to built projects for overall design excellence. Merit Awards will be granted to built projects worthy of recognition because of their design quality. Citation Awards will be granted at the discretion of the jury. In addition, highlighting the importance of sustainable design, the jury may select award winners also to receive a commendation for sustainable design at their discretion.
Classifications
For clarity, please designate the general classification of the submitted project from the following:
- New Construction
- Renovation/Restoration
- Residential
- Architectural Interior Design
- Emerging Professionals
- Unbuilt
When multiple classifications can describe a project, the entrant must make the most appropriate choice. Jurors are not obligated to provide awards for each classification.
Emerging Professionals: To be eligible for this classification, project entries must be led by an Emerging Professional. This classification intends to encourage participation and acknowledge the contributions of our members who have completed their academic studies up to the point of licensure or up to 10 years after completion of their academic studies. Project entries may be built or unbuilt projects. This classification offers a discounted entry fee.
Unbuilt classification: Projects not yet or never to be constructed may be submitted under the Unbuilt classification. This includes projects on the boards, conceptual/theoretical in nature, and competition entries. If later constructed, projects entered in this classification may be submitted for future consideration by the Design Awards Program even if they have previously won an award in the Unbuilt classification.
Unbuilt projects will only be eligible for Merit Awards.
Submission Guidelines
Submittal guidelines are detailed completely in the Submittal Instructions above, but the following are required for integration into the PowerPoint template:
PROJECT INFORMATION: Include program statement, program summary, area and cost per square foot, construction cost, completion date, project code number and classification.
PLANS AND DRAWINGS: Include site plan, floor plan(s), or details describing special features, construction systems, “before” views, etc.
PHOTOGRAPHY/IMAGES: Include exterior views showing major elevations, interior views (one or more), other views or details describing special features, nighttime images, construction systems, “before” views, etc. It is the responsibility of the entrant to obtain all clearances for use.
Popular Vote Awards Categories
Every project submitted for the 2025 Design Awards will automatically be entered into the annual People’s Choice and Chapter’s Choice Awards. Learn more about each award below, and cast your vote, once we receive 2025 submissions!
2025 Chapter’s Choice
Cast your vote for your favorite project during the 2025 Design Awards Gala! Chapter’s Choice voting is only open to 2025 Design Awards Gala attendees.
Housing ETN l 2025 Single Stair Design Competition- Gala’s Choice
To recognize the finalists for our Housing ETN l 2025 Single Stair Design Competition, presentation boards will be printed and displayed for gala attendee review, and a “Gala’s Choice” will be selected/awarded.
