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 2026 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.
2026 Design Awards Submission Fee
Please indicate what type of project you are submitting below. A separate entry form must be filled out for each entry. A separate code number will be assigned to each entry. Please identify all submittal materials with this number. Multiple entries from one firm are assigned random code numbers to ensure fairness. Submission fees must be paid by July 24th so that a project # can be assigned to you prior to creating your project presentation.
2026 Design Awards Jury
Kim Yao, FAIA, will chair the 2026 AIA East Tennessee Design Awards. Kim will be joined this year by Mark Gardner, Hayes Slade and Hilary Sample. Full bios and more information on the jury will go live on this page shortly after the Annual Mayor’s Luncheon on May 19th!
We look forward to the thoughtful discernment, depth of experience, and regionally informed perspectives this distinguished jury will bring to the 2026 Design Awards review of our Chapter’s work.
2026 AIA East Tennessee Design Awards Jury Coordinator
Andrew Newman, AIA
– 2026 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 2026 AIA East TN Design Awards.)
Dates and Deadlines
1. Submit the Registration Form with Entry Fee by the deadline, July 24th at 5 PM.
2. Once you have submitted the registration form and entry fee, you will receive a project number after the July 24th 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 28th 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 7th.
Eligibility
Any architectural project completed since 2021 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.
Additionally, highlighting the importance of sustainable design excellence, the jury will select a project award winner to receive the “2026 AIA ETN Committee on the Environment Award”, recognizing innovative projects integrating exemplary performance with compelling design. The jury will also consider projects of community impact for the new Community Impact award.
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
- Temporary/Exhibition/Visionary (formerly “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.
Temporary/Exhibition/Visionary (formerly Unbuilt): Projects not yet or never to be constructed, as well as architectural exhibits or temporary structures should be submitted to this category. 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 this classification.
The above category 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 2026 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 in the Fall!
2026 Chapter’s Choice
Cast your vote for your favorite project during the 2026 Design Awards Gala! Chapter’s Choice voting is only open to 2026 Design Awards Gala attendees.
