BUILDING AWARD

An entry may be one building or a related group of buildings including new construction, renovations, and historic preservation projects.

COMMUNITY IMPACT THROUGH DESIGN AWARD

Projects will be judged through the impact making a lasting effect upon bringing together a Michigan community and making its residents stronger.

HOUSING AWARD

Recognizes residential projects which range in size and purpose with a budget under two million dollars. Temporary, single-family, affordable housing, and universal/specialized housing residences are encouraged submission. All projects must demonstrate design excellence via new construction or significant renovations.

INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE AWARD

This category is open to an Interior Designer that works with an AIA Architect. Projects that are submitted for a Building Award during the same year or have previously received an award are not eligible.

LOW BUDGET/SMALL PROJECT AWARD

Final construction cost must be submitted. Small projects must be under 3,500 square feet and up to two million dollars. (If you have a project that has unique constraints please call the AIA Michigan for clarification.) Submissions must have been executed for a client and may include interior projects.

25 YEAR AWARD

For distinguished projects designed by an AIA Member prior to 2001 and used for at least 25 years for the same purpose for which they were designed.

MICHIGAN SHEET METAL AWARD

This award recognizes design excellence through state-of-the-art climate control/system design, fabrication of duct work, metal architectural roofing, ornamental metal visually/historically (applicable) complimentary and will encompass the sheet metal industry and hires a union sheet metal contractor. Sponsored by: The Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association (SMACNA)

SUSTAINABLE DESIGN AWARD

Projects will be judged utilizing the adopted AIA Framework for Design Excellence, formerly known as the COTE (Committee on the Environment) Top Ten Measures, all with sustainability being on the forefront. As part of the Design Awards project submissions, entrants are required to provide a Sustainability Narrative that explains how the project addresses the ‘Designing for one of the 10 Principles’­ Framework for Design Excellence. Project submissions with a focus on Wellness, as well as any additional areas listed in the Framework, will have an opportunity to be selected to receive an exclusive honorary Jurors’ award. 

UNBUILT PROJECT AWARD

Projects including those commissioned for compensation or research, design competitions, and non-compensated that are deemed unbuilt into the future, not merely on hold are eligible for submission. Projects that win an unbuilt award cannot qualify for a future building award. (Please call the AIA Michigan if you need clarification of a project that you would like to submission)

STUDENT PROJECT AWARD

Graduate student project, must be AIA Student member, and a student at a Michigan university on or before the Design and Honor Awards ceremony to be eligible for submission

Masonry Institute of Michigan M-AWARD

To qualify for entry building must use masonry as the primary exterior material and the architect must show masonry was important in the solution of the design problem. Projects will be judged on the basis of the appropriate and innovative use of unit masonry construction as well as excellence in design.