2026 Honor Awards | Call for Entries

We are pleased to announce the AIA Huron Valley Chapter’s 22nd Honor Awards! Each year, we celebrate the innovation, dedication, and talent that define our architectural community. The Honor Awards recognize exemplary work that thoughtfully balances formal, functional, and technical demands-advancing the dialogue of contemporary architecture.

Projects will be submitted in specific categories, and the jury will award honors to as many projects as they deem meritorious. If no projects in a particular category are found to merit recognition, no award will be given for that category. Recipients of the Honor Award will receive a custom award honoring the project team’s achievement, with duplicate awards available for purchase for other team members or clients.

Join us for the 2026 Honor Awards celebration on Thursday, September 25th, 2025, at The Michigan Union. We look forward to an inspiring evening of recognition, community, and the launch of our 9th annual AWARDS publication, presented in person. This event promises to be an inspiring evening, featuring exceptional projects and recognizing outstanding contributions in our region.

SCHEDULE
Monday, June 25, 2025 2026 Honor Awards Announcement
**Friday, July 25, 2025 Entry Fee Deadline
Friday, August 8, 2025 Submission Deadline
Thursday, September 25, 2025 Awards Presentation Event | Michigan Union
Note: All dates are preliminary and subject to change by the awards committee.

**Extension to submission date provide.

SUBMISSION FEES
All submission fees are non-refundable.
The submission fee includes one (1) Awards Exhibit Board and one (1) event entry ticket. The Awards Exhibit Board will be displayed on the Chapter website, social media platforms, inclusion in the annual AWARDS Chapter publication, and at several traveling locations within the Huron Valley Chapter area throughout the following year. Each additional project submission also receives one (1) event entry ticket to the Honor Awards, with up to a maximum of three (3) per firm. Winning submissions will receive one award trophy honoring the project team’s achievements.

First Project Entry:

$175 for AIA HV members
$325 for AIA members from another Chapter
$135 for small firms & first-time submission*

Each Additional Project Entry**:

$140 for AIA HV members
$200 for nonmembers

Recognition Awards:

$135 for Firm Achievement Award
No Fee for Emerging Architect
No Fee Lifetime recognition
No Fee Emil Lorch
No Fee Eugene Hopkins Distinguished Service
No Fee Distinguished Community Service

*Small Firm Eligibility
To be eligible for the Small Firm Submission Fee, the firm must have a maximum of five persons on staff at the time of entry and at least one principal who is an AIA HV member. The First Time Submission Fee is intended for firms that have never submitted for an AIA HV Honor Award before.

**Additional Submissions
Firms may submit multiple projects by registering each project as a separate entry. Projects are only eligible for the category in which they are registered, to have a project be considered in multiple categories, the project must be registered in each of those categories.

PROJECT AWARDS
The Honor Award is given to projects that demonstrate exceptional design, showing skill and sensitivity in the resolution of formal, functional, and technical requirements. Honor Awards may be given to projects that demonstrate outstanding accomplishments in aesthetics, technical advancement, sustainability, historic preservation, or project-specific goals. Those that show merit in the design may receive a Merit Award in the categories below. Please note, not all categories may be awarded.

Categories

Each submission must be submitted in one of the following categories with each illustrating how sustainable design practices were integrated into the design.
Large Building Award (Non-Residential over 3,500 SF & $1M)
New Construction, Addition or Renovation
Small Building Award (Non-Residential under 3,500 SF & $1M)
New Construction, Addition or Renovation
Tectonic Project Award (up to $250,000 construction cost)
Furniture, object, work of environmental art or architectural design element
Residential New Construction Award
Single Family or Attached Townhome types
Residential Addition or Renovation Award
Single Family or Attached Townhome types
Architectural Interior Building Award
New Construction or renovation – Any Building Type
Unbuilt Projects Award
Must be client-supported
Historic Preservation Award
Any Building Type
Aspirational Project Award
Sustainability, Equity/Inclusion, and Community Benefit
At the discretion of the jury, ALL PROJECTS are eligible for the Aspirational Projects Award consideration at no additional cost.

Eligibility

All Project Award entries shall be projects:
Completed in the last 5 years
Designed by a registered Michigan architect
Designed by a member of the AIA HV Chapter
Project location for AIA HV members is not limited to any geographic region
Designed by a member of another AIA Chapter (for an additional fee)
Projects by members of other AIA Chapter must be located within the Huron Valley area
Projects having won awards in other programs are eligible for submission
Projects previously entered in the AIA HV Awards Program, which have not won an Honor Award in any category, may be resubmitted up to two additional times

Submission Requirements

All Project Award entries will be submitted electronically:
NO zip files, multiple files can be attached to single email
Use a naming convention on all files:
FirmName_ProjectName_ITEM.pdf,
“ITEM“being JuryPresentation, DisplayBoard, DataSheet, Image1,2,3…etc.
All Photographers shall be identified and credited appropriately.

Slide Show: (1 file, PDF format) A slide show presentation with a maximum of 18 slides shall be submitted for judging by the jury. A PowerPoint template will be provided after the submission fee is received. Submissions must be saved as PDF files from PowerPoint prior to submission. Images provided should show all principal sides of the building, (not necessary for interior architecture), at least 3 interior views, and floor plan(s). Additional drawings including a site plan and sections may be submitted to support and clarify the design intentions if the participant deems them necessary. All images shall be 200 dpi.

Included in the presentation shall be a written statement, which briefly and concisely describes the project being submitted. A written statement and any applicable diagrams explaining the sustainable choice(s). The written statement shall include a design statement outlining the design problem and solution, site description (if deemed relevant by the participant), project square footage, construction cost, building program and date of substantial completion. The category of the submission shall be included; the written statement must NOT include the name of the Architect or firm.

At the discretion of the jury, ALL PROJECTS are eligible for the Aspirational Projects Award consideration at no additional cost. If a firm would like to specifically apply for an Aspirational Award, a 250 word max written description of Equity/Inclusion, Community Benefit or Sustainability attributes should be included. Description to include specific design attributes that are detailed or included in the project that contribute to the Aspirational Project

Press Release Images: 3-5 digital images up to 4 MB shall be submitted for press releases in JPEG format. An image or images will be used in the annual AWARDS publication.

Descriptive Data Sheet: (1 file, PDF format) Included in the submission shall be a descriptive data sheet containing all applicable project information in the template provided after registration is paid.

Display Board: (1 file, PDF format) The entrant must submit a file for the Display Board. A template will be provided after the submission fee is received. Submissions must be saved as PDF files from PowerPoint prior to submission. Between 4 and 7 images can be incorporated into the display board. Maximum text of 300 words with 14 point Helvetica or Arial text.

RECOGNITION AWARDS
The Recognition Awards celebrate firms and members who have contributed to the profession and community and recognize the accomplishments of their work. The jury will award honors to as many applicants as they decide that show merit. If the jury does not find merit in any applicants for a particular category, no award will be given for that category.

Categories
Each applicant must apply in one of the following categories:
Firm Achievement Award
Emerging Architect Award
The Lifetime Recognition Award
Emil Lorch Award
Eugene Hopkins Distinguished Service Award
Distinguished Community Service Award

Eligibility
Firm Achievement Award
The AIA Huron Valley Firm Achievement Award can be given to any current practicing architectural firm that has been in business for a period of a minimum of ten years. Nominees for the award shall have at least one principal who is an AIA HV member. The award will be given to a firm that has consistently produced architecture which is distinguished in design, advances in environmental sustainability, and promotes aspects of community benefit and equity in the profession. The recognition committee will consider granting the award to a firm, which is well known and respected within the architectural community and has clearly demonstrated professional depth, breadth, collaboration, and expertise.

Firm Achievement Award Requirements shall include a portfolio of work encompassing at least 10 years of significant project work including descriptive statements from at least 10 projects, a letter of nomination from outside of the firm, a brief firm history, and any other materials (awards, publications, presentations, etc) that would further illustrate the firmâ€™s qualifications for the award. The package should be submitted in PDF format.

Emerging Architect Award
The Emerging Architect Award recognizes proficiency and exceptional accomplishments in and contribution to the profession by an architect who has been a member of AIA HV for a minimum of three years and has been a Registered Architect for less than 10 years at the time of the award. Any AIA HV member can recommend an individual for the Emerging Architect Award.

Lifetime Recognition Award
The Lifetime Recognition Award recognizes an architect who has clearly demonstrated distinguished leadership in any phase of the profession over an extended period. This award is made in recognition of outstanding achievement in one or more areas of professional endeavor and/or notable contributions to the AIA. The Nominee must be an AIA HV member.

Emil Lorch Award
The Emil Lorch Award honors a Chapter member in education that coincides with professional practice, corporate enterprise, government, or legislation who has made exceptional contributions to the profession in academia and an allied field or corporate enterprise, and who promoted the mission of the AIA in their endeavors. The Nominee must be an AIA HV member.

Eugene Hopkins Distinguished Service Award
The Eugene Hopkins Distinguished Service Award honors a Chapter member who has clearly demonstrated distinguished and outstanding service to the AIA. Members of the board of AIA HV who are in office or who have been out of office for less than three years are not eligible. The Nominee must be an AIA HV member.

Distinguished Community Service Award
The Distinguished Community Service Award honors a Chapter member who has performed distinguished and outstanding service to the broader community through involvement in government, volunteer, or service organizations, or who has provided pro-bono services to community organizations. The Nominee must be an AIA HV member.

Submission Requirements
Entries will be submitted electronically. All Photographers shall be identified and credited appropriately. An upload link will be provided to entrants after registration and payment is received. Required documents are as follows:

Firm Achievement Award
Slide Show: (1 file, PDF format) The entire submittal must be submitted as a PDF slide show. A maximum of 20 slides of photos, diagrams, drawings and written materials may be included. The written statement shall address the overall achievement of the firm, including but not limited to, design creativity, technical innovation, longevity, consistency of practice, AXP success, economic success, client satisfaction, AIA involvement, community participation, and leadership success in the construction process. Photos must be included showing a variety of the firm’s work. Recommendations from clients, awards, publications, presentations, or other materials that would further illustrate the firm’s qualifications are recommended. Nominees for Firm Achievement shall have at least one principal who is an AIA HV member. Include in the submission the name and address of the firm, the name of the owner(s) or principal(s), and a name and number for a contact person.

Press Release Image: (1 file, JPEG format) A digital image of the firm’s logo up to 1 MB in size shall be submitted for press releases in JPEG format.

Emerging Architect Award
(1 file, PDF format) A 500-1500 word essay by the nominator on why the nominee deserves the honor, a biography of the nominee, and exhibits in support of the nominee that demonstrates his or her accomplishments. The essay, biography, and exhibits may not exceed 10 pages. In addition, a maximum of five letters of support may be included in the submission packet. In addition, if the architect is being nominated based on any aspect of their designed work, the exhibits must include 10-20 photographs of the nominee’s work.. Also a digital image head shot of the nominee of up to 1 MB in size shall be submitted for press releases in JPEG format.

Lifetime Recognition Award | Emil Lorch Award | Eugene Hopkins Distinguished Service | Award Distinguished Community Service Award
Nomination Documents: (1 file, PDF format) Any Chapter member may nominate someone for these recognition awards by submitting a one-page nomination letter, a biography of the candidate not to exceed two-pages, and supporting exhibits as appropriate. In addition, if the architect is being nominated based on any aspect of their designed work, the exhibits must include 10-20 photographs of the nominee’s work.

Photograph: (1 file, JPEG format) A digital image head shot of the nominee of up to 1 MB in size shall be submitted for press releases JPEG format.

JURYING
Independent Juried Awards
An independent jury will consist of practicing architects from another AIA Chapter. The decision of the jury will be final. A member of the AIA HV Honor Awards Committee will act as moderator for the jury.

Committee Juried Awards
The AIA HV Awards and Recognitions Committee (AIA HV Board members) will review the submissions for the Lifetime Recognition Award, Emil Lorch Award, Eugene Hopkins Award and Distinguished Community Service Award and make recommendations to the AIA HV board.

SUBMISSION
Submission of all fees and registration will be handled through Eventbrite and Paypal.
Contact Dwight Hendrichs, AIA at dwight.herdrich@gmail.com & CC info@aiahv.org.
Project Awards and Recognition Awards submissions shall be submitted online via an upload link received after registration.

We look forward to seeing all the great works Members of AIA Huron Valley have contributed to our region!