Eligibility

1. All Architect members of the Institute who are assigned to the AIA International Region as their primary Region are eligible to submit entries for projects located anywhere in the world. (Note: members of the International Region include full members of one of the International Chapters (AIA UK; AIA CE; AIA HK; AIA JP; AIA ME; AIA SH), and "unassigned" members of the International Region).
2. All Architect members who are non-local members of an International Chapter may submit projects only within the territory of that same International Chapter (for example a non-local member of AIA HK who is currently residing outside of the Hong Kong Chapter's assigned territory but is paying non-local dues and is in good standing is eligible to submit entries for projects located ONLY within Hong Kong, China, or the Asia-Pacific Region; the same would be true for AIA UK; AIA CE; AIA JP; AIA ME and AIA SH).
3. All Associate members in good standing of the AIA International Region are eligible to submit entries for projects located anywhere in the world for 'Urban Design.' (Note: Associate members include International Associate AIA members; Associate AIA members and Honorary FAIA members in good standing with the Institute and their local chapters).
4. All Architect and Associate members in good standing of the AIA International Region are eligible to submit entries for projects located internationally (outside of the USA) for the 'Open International' category.
5. Built work must have been completed since January 1, 2011.
6. The AIA International Region member submitting the project must have been an AIA member in good standing at the time the design of the submitted project was undertaken.
7. The AIA International Regional member submitting the project must be the primary author of the design submitted. When one Architect is not the sole author of the design, all other participants contributing substantially to the design must be given credit as part of the submission.
8. Projects designed by joint venture or associated architects should be submitted by one member only; credit for all design participants is to be noted in the entry form under Collaborative Acknowledgements.
9. All entries that meet the requirements of their respective categories are eligible regardless of size, budget, style, location or building type.
10. Projects previously honored with an award from another Region of the Institute are NOT eligible for submission. Projects may NOT be submitted to more than one AIA Region simultaneously. Projects which have received a local Chapter Award (specifically from AIA UK, AIA CE, AIA HK, AIA JP, AIA ME or AIA SH) or which have received a National Award, are eligible for submission to the International Region 2016 Awards Program.
11. Work by architects or design firms serving as jurors for current year (2016) awards are ineligible.
12. The AIA International Region reserves the right to determine the eligibility of all submissions..
13. See ELIGIBILITY MATRIX for clarification

Critieria

1. The jury will award AIA IR Honor Awards and AIA IR Merit Awards. The Jury will comprise not less than three distinguished architects including at least two AIA member architects. Submissions will be juried in Toronto. All Jury decisions will be based solely on the materials submitted; no field trips will be taken. Winners will be recognized at a Gala Dinner on October 22, 2016 at the AIA International Region Conference in Toronto, and projects will be displayed and winner recognition will continue at the Octagon, the AIA Headquarters, Washington, DC, during next year's Grassroots, 8-10 March 2017.
2. Entries will be judged on how successfully the design addresses individual project program requirements, the successful integration of the solution within its context, and its worthiness for an award in design excellence.
3. Projects will be evaluated on one or more of the following criteria:
   • DESIGN QUALITY reflecting resolution of the program or idea; innovation, thoughtfulness, and technique.
   • DESIGN RESOLUTION of formal, functional and technical parameters.
   • DESIGN ADVANCEMENT through proposing new approaches to the development of architectural and/or urban form.
   • SOCIAL ADVANCEMENT demonstrating a commitment to social progress.
   • TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENT exploring new technologies and/or their architectural applications.
   • ENVIRONMENTAL ADVANCEMENT demonstrating a commitment to environmentally sensitive design, sustainability and/or energy/resources conservation.
   • PRESERVATION / RESTORATION demonstrating skill, sensitivity and thoughtfulness in preservation, restoration, or the adaptive re-use of existing buildings.
4. Project authorship will remain confidential throughout the jury deliberations.

Categories

Entries must be submitted in one of the categories listed below. These categories are used to clarify the different requirements for each group and to focus the jury on the many broad and diverse areas of practice.

• Architecture
Eligible entries may be new construction, renovation or preservation/restoration projects. The project must be built work completed since January 1, 2011. For multi-building projects, the Architect submitting the project (or portion thereof) must offer detailed evidence of authorship of each portion of the project.
• Interior Architecture
Eligible entries may be new construction, renovation or preservation/restoration projects. The projects must be built work completed since January 1, 2011.
• Urban Design
Eligible entries may be urban design projects, planning programs, civic improvements, campus plans, environmental programs, or redevelopment projects. The projects should not be individual buildings. Incomplete projects or ongoing programs may be recognized if a significant portion has been completed or implemented by a local jurisdiction or authority since January 1, 2011.
• Open International
Eligible entries must be located outside of the USA. They can be Architecture, Interior Architecture, Urban Design, revitalization or other types of work. This category includes projects of all scales which enhance the built environment in a way that is respectful of context and culture and which aim through craftsmanship and sustainability to serve as a benchmark for architects globally and/or through innovation and ingenuity to serve as a benchmark for the profession. The project must be built work completed since January 1, 2011. For multi-building projects (or portions thereof), the submitting Architect must offer detailed evidence of authorship of each portion of the project.

Deadline and Entry Fees

• The deadline for submissions is September 23, 2016 before 5:00 PM EST.The deadline will be strictly observed.
• The entry fee is $350 USD per submission. Entry fees are non-refundable.
• Please use the Submission Preview before submitting your payment. You can go back and edit your submission until the deadline expires but no refunds will be issued.