AIA Pittsburgh

AIA Pittsburgh invites your participation in our Annual Design Awards Competition. Our mission is to recognize and promote excellence in architecture and design, as created by the members of The American Institute of Architects.

In keeping with that mission, we offer several categories that recognize excellence in different aspects of design. The Green Design Citation is a special award for the Architecture, Interior Architecture, and Historic Preservation entries that excel in green design.

As in the past, every project submitted will be eligible for exhibition. Do not miss the Design Pittsburgh Gala and Awards Ceremony held in October! Please stay posted for event dates. During the Design Awards Ceremony we will announce the winners of the Silver Medal, Honor Award(s), Certificate(s) of Merit, Green Design Citation(s), and Award(s) of Excellence.

Who is Eligible?

AIA members and firms whose principal(s) are members of AIA Pittsburgh, or any member of any AIA chapter across the country who has a project in the 10 county area represented by AIA Pittsburgh can be included in the design competition. However, all projects MUST have at least one AIA Pittsburgh architect on the project team. All submissions for the AIA Pittsburgh Design Awards Competition can only be submitted by an AIA Pittsburgh architect.

The Design Awards entries are judged by measuring the architect’s performance against each project’s potential, and not in competition with each other. Thus, projects of ordinary program or modest budget can merit an award based on the architect’s skill in optimizing the design opportunity.

Forms for Download

Submission Kit Request Form
Project Information Form
One Project Information Form needs to be completed for every project submitted.
Green Design Citation Requirements
Young Architects Studio Competition (YASC) Submission Kit Request Form

AIA Pittsburgh Design Awards Criteria

About the Design Awards

The Silver Medal is AIA Pittsburgh’s highest award and is presented at the jury’s discretion. It is only presented in the Architecture category. Only one Silver Medal can be awarded, and the jury may choose not to award it. Honor Awards are granted for overall excellence to projects in the Architecture, Interior Architecture, and Regional + Urban Design categories. Certificates of Merit recognize an outstanding aspect of a project such as detailing or adaptive reuse. Architectural Detail / Craftsmanship, Design + Innovation, Historic Preservation, and the Young Architects Studio Competition entries are only eligible for Awards of Excellence.

The Green Design Citation recognizes projects that have integrated green building strategies and practices into the design to reduce environmental impact. This award also recognizes the growing impact that buildings have on human health, worker productivity, and environmental and regional prosperity. Projects in the Architecture, Historic Preservation, and Interior Architecture categories are eligible for Green Design Citations. The jury may award as many or as few Honor Awards, Certificates of Merit, or Awards of Excellence as they like.