Contact

Judy Belcher 
AIA West Virginia 
304-344-9872 
judy@aiawv.org 
 

RECOGNITION CATEGORIES 

The project size, budget, or program in no way limits its eligibility. Entries are welcomed and encouraged from both established and new practitioners, as well as, designers from small firms and large. New buildings, renovations, additions and historic preservation projects are eligible.  The Jury Chair may acknowledge projects in any or all of the following categories as they see fit, but are not obligated to provide awards for each classification.

  • New Construction
  • Renovation/Restoration
  • Interiors
  • Residential
  • Small Projects (less than $1,000,000 construction budget)
  • Sustainable Design
  • Unbuilt
  • Historic Preservation
  • 25-YEAR AWARD

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN - New Construction, Renovation/Restoration, Interiors, Residential, Small Projects: Entries of exceptional or unique design solutions for architectural and interior design. Projects that demonstrate successful resolution of formal, functional, and technical requirements with exemplary skill & sensitivity will be recognized with Honor or Merit Awards.

* Additionally, submissions for recognition of the associated disciplines of engineering and landscape portions related to a project are encouraged.

SUSTAINABLE DESIGN: Entries of exceptional or unique design, solutions for environmental or energy efficient design. Projects that demonstrate successful resolution of formal, functional, and technical requirements with exemplary skill and sensitivity will be recognized with Honor or Merit Awards.

UNBUILT CLASSIFICATION:  Work completed through schematic design in the past 5 years.  Project entry must be a commissioned project with an identifiable owner.  Projects submitted in this category cannot be submitted in others categories at a later date.

HISTORIC PRESERVATION: Entries of exceptional or unique design solutions for architectural, engineering, landscape, and interior design wholly or partially incorporating an existing building. The existing building and the associated project are eligible regardless of their status as determined / designated by WVSHPO or US Department of Interior, National Park Service. Entries are required to have followed the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards. Successful projects will be recognized with Honor or Merit Awards.

25-YEAR AWARD: All entries intended for the 25-year award must be a constructed work of architecture built over twenty-five years ago anywhere in West Virginia and still being used for the original purpose. The award intends to recognize projects of distinction that add value to the communities in which they belong and that have retained their original design intent. Only AIA WV members in good standing may nominate a project for this award. Only one 25-year award winner will be selected. Projects submitted for the 25-Year Award must be located in West Virginia. The 25-Year Award submitted by any AIA Member will be adjudicated by the AIA WV Design Awards Task Force.

 

 

AIA West Virginia Excellence in Architecture Awards Entry

DEADLINE FOR ENTRY: January 31, 2021 5pm

Please note the recognition categories - projects may be considered in more than one category.  

The AIA West Virginia Honor Award for Excellence in Architecture recognizes projects and details that demonstrate exemplary achievement of  design.  Entries are not judged in competition with each other, but rather by measuring the architect’s performance against each project’s potential.  Thus, projects of ordinary program or modest budget can merit an award based on the architect’s skill in optimizing the design opportunity.

The primary intent of the Awards Program is to acknowledge AIA West Virginia members’ projects, regardless of location, but to be eligible for a Design Award, the Architect of Record must be a member of AIA West Virginia, residing in West Virginia or if out of state, as an Unassigned Affiliate Member.  The location of the project must be located in West Virginia or if outside West Virginia, the Architect of Record must maintain their primary architectural practice in West Virginia.

Any built work submitted must have been completed after January 1, 2017.  Un-built work will also be considered, as long as it was commissioned by a client as opposed to hypothetical work completed in the mode of research or academic training.

  

SUBMISSION DETAILS 

All DESIGN AWARD entry materials will be submitted online.  Plan to upload the following: 

  • Description:  Design narrative illustrating intent, program requirements, specific project goals/parameters as defined by the Owner, and distinguishing factors. 
  • Drawings:   Site plan including principal building, immediate surroundings, and required elements necessary to explain site planning. Floor plans of all typical levels with graphic scale indicated. Section drawing(s) as desired to convey overall design solution.
  • Photographs:  Exterior and interior viewpoints that best display the design solution. Photographs may be of any size and quantity, however at least (1) image must reflect the relationship of the project to its immediate context.  This context must include adjacent structures, any community features, and the surrounding environment.
  • Digital Files:  Provide electronic image files and drawings in  .tif or jpeg formats (limit each to 1 MB) maximum 10 images per project.

NO PRESENTATION BOARDS!

This year, your fee covers the cost of the promotional display of your design project!  The boards have been difficult to find locations to display, so we are printing a single image of your project with a brief description for promotion of architect work around the state.  You will be provided with guidelines during the submission process.

This is a sample of the promotional display.  There will be three project images on each side.

 

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All CRAFTSMANSHIP AWARD entry materials will be submitted online separate from any DESIGN Award entry.  Plan to upload the following:

  • Project description with the reason for nomination.
  • Additional explanatory sketches, drawings or illustrations are encouraged and should be scanned and uploaded in digital format.
  • Minimum of three images of the craftsmanship
  • electronic image files and drawings in .tif or jpeg formats (limit each to 1 MB) maximum 6 images per project.
  • All entries must be nominated by AIA WV member.

 

 

JURY & AWARDS

All entries will be reviewed by an independent jury chairperson and jurors not affiliated with AIA WV.  This year's jury chair will be announced soon.  Projects demonstrating successful accomplishment of the specific project goals and requirements will be acknowledged with Honor Awards or Merit Awards as noted to the left of this page. Entries are weighed individually and are not in competition with each other.

The awards will be presented at the AIA WV Annual Design Awards Party in the Fall of 2021. Award designees will be notified prior to event and are encouraged to attend the banquet along with the Owner and the Design & Construction Project Team.

Deadlines/Timeline           

 

  • Application and Fees - Deadline: January 31, 2021 (5pm)
  • Link sent out for online submission site - February 1, 2021
  • Online submission of materials - Deadline: February 26, 2021 (5pm)
  • Awards Gala – Fall 2021

Notes    

  • Entry fee is required for each member of a group entry.
  • All entries must be submitted by the Architect of Record for the project.  Submissions must credit all firms on the project team who substantially contributed to the design.
  • All fees are non-refundable.
  • Entrants will receive submission information with forms for concealing identity to assure anonymous judging.
  • Every effort will be made to return entry materials.