Design Awards
AIA Charlotte Design Awards seeks to honor your continued passion, vigor, and commitment to finding unique solutions to the incredible challenges and incredible opportunities that we face. The past few years have been challenging and transformative years that have had a lasting impact on our lives & the way that we approach design and practice. The Pandemic, the Economy, heightened recognition of Social, Racial and Gender Equality, and immense Climate Change Challenges among others have all influenced our thinking and sense of compassion for our work, clients, and the communities we serve.
Our resilience as professionals has been exemplary and we have collectively found ways to push forward; exceeding expectations, responding to today's challenges with grace and continuing to advance design. We encourage you to dig deeper; finding the best of your work but supporting your submissions with more about the project's story and the unique challenges faced by your team.
The AIA Charlotte Design Awards Committee is pleased to announce the annual Design Awards Program Entry Requirements with an expanded list of Entry Categories and an updated submittal and evaluation process.
2025 DESIGN CATEGORIES:
• New Construction & Substantial Renovation
• Residential
• Adaptive Reuse/Preservation
• Interior Architecture
• Unrealized Projects
• Design Innovation & Emerging Practices
• Collaborative Project Delivery
Service Awards
Citizen Architect Service to the Community
This category recognizes the work of architects who serve as elected or appointed officials, public administrators or institutional leaders and establish and contribute to the development of laws, regulations, policies or initiatives that promote excellence in architecture.
The S. Scott Ferebee Service to the Section Award
The S. Scott Ferebee Service Award recognizes the work of architects who, by their skill, professionalism, dedication, ability and commitment, and/or volunteer contributions have consistently advanced the common goals of AIA Charlotte.
The Laurel Award
The Laurel Award is to recognize individuals, firms or organizations outside the profession who have made significant contributions to the improvement of the region's built environment. Contributions may include, but are not limited to, advancement or development of laws, regulations, policies or initiatives that promote excellence in architecture; the commissioning of notable additions to the built environment; or activities that raise the public's consciousness of the importance of excellent design in the shaping of our world and culture.
Emerging Professional of the Year Award
Established in 2013, to recognize an individual Associate AIA member or an AIA Architect member who has been registered 10 years or less who exemplifies the highest qualities of leadership and who has demonstrated an unparalleled commitment to their AIA Component or region, to the design and construction industry, to the community, and/or to other professional organizations.
Distinguished Partner Award
The Distinguished Partner Award recognizes the work of individuals who are not architects, by their skill, professionalism, dedication, ability and commitment, and/or volunteer contributions have consistently advanced the common goals of AIA Charlotte.
Firm of the Year Award
Established in 2013, the purpose of the Firm Award is to recognize notable achievements in design, community service, education, and service to the profession and the AIA by an architectural firm. Projects, accomplishments, and service submitted must reflect a period of at least 10 years.
