Categories

For examples of projects submitted within any particular category (CLICK HERE).

Table Of Contents

Categories

Custom Homes

The Custom Homes category celebrates the artistry, ingenuity, and personalization of creating unique residences. These homes are carefully crafted according to individual clients’ specific tastes, needs, and lifestyles, showcasing how a shared vision can be transformed into a living space as unique as its inhabitants.

Projects in this category should demonstrate a high degree of innovation and creativity and be unique to the client’s needs and tastes. Entrants should showcase their ability to work with challenging sites, intricate designs, complex building systems, and demanding clients.

We encourage entrants to submit comprehensive documentation, including plans, sections, elevations, photographs (when applicable), and a written description demonstrating the project’s features and qualities to the judges.

Entries will be judged based on several criteria, which include but are not limited to:

Design Innovation: Entries should demonstrate original solutions and creative approaches to design challenges while seamlessly integrating form and function.
Quality of Craftsmanship: The use of high-quality materials, attention to detail, and the execution of superior craftsmanship of the project.
Client Satisfaction: The designer’s ability to listen deeply to the client, understand their needs, and translate them into a livable space that meets their expectations.
Overall Impact: Entries should have a strong visual and emotional impact, create a sense of place, and make a lasting impression.

“Built” entries are completed projects, regardless of the completion date. They can be a primary home, vacation home, accessory unit, or all of the above.
“Unbuilt” entries must be in the concept, design development, CD phase, or under construction and must NOT be completed projects.

Model Homes

The Model Homes category celebrates exceptional residential properties designed and built to showcase home builders’ capabilities, creativity, and craftsmanship. Model homes serve as a tangible representation of what prospective buyers can expect from their individually-built residences.

This category is open to various projects, including speculative homes, builder inventory homes, and sales models. The focus is on innovation, creativity, and high-quality design, demonstrating the builder’s ability to capture the essence of modern living.

Entrants should showcase their ability to understand market trends, buyer preferences, and the latest innovations in materials and construction technologies. They should also demonstrate mastery of floor plans, interior architecture, and outdoor spaces.

Entries will be judged based on several criteria, which include but are not limited to:

Design Quality: The design should reflect the needs and wants of the target buyer while showcasing creative and innovative solutions to meet those needs.
Craftsmanship and Quality of Materials: The use of high-quality materials, attention to detail, and the execution of superior craftsmanship of the project.
Functionality and Flow: The floor plan and layout should be thoughtfully planned and executed to maximize functionality, flow, and livability.
Innovation and Creativity: Entries should demonstrate original ideas, unique features, and innovative approaches to design challenges.
Sales Appeal: The project should have strong sales appeal and provide an immersive experience that inspires confidence in prospective buyers.
Overall Impact: Entries should have a strong visual and emotional impact, create a sense of place, and make a lasting impression.

“Built” entries are completed projects, regardless of the completion date.
“Unbuilt” entries must be in the concept, design development, CD phase, or under construction and must NOT be completed projects.

Renovation

The Renovation category celebrates outstanding projects that transform existing homes through restoration, alteration, or expansion. This category highlights the creative challenge of melding the old with the new to create something uniquely beautiful and functional.

Entrants should showcase their ability to respect and preserve the home’s original essence while breathing new life into the space. Projects may include renovating a historic home, reimagining a mid-century modern house, or expanding and modernizing a traditional home.

Entries will be judged based on several criteria, which include but are not limited to:

Design Quality: The design should reflect a nuanced understanding of the home’s history and original character while embracing innovative solutions for modern living.
Craftsmanship and Quality of Materials: The use of high-quality materials, attention to detail, and the execution of superior craftsmanship of the project.
Functionality and Flow: The renovation should maximize functionality, flow, and livability while respecting and preserving the home’s original layout and spatial arrangement.
Preservation of Historic Value: Preservation of the historic value and home features, where applicable.
Overall Impact: Entries should have a strong visual and emotional impact, create a sense of place, and make a lasting impression.

Multi-Family

The Multi-Family category celebrates designs for residential structures that house two or more attached dwelling units. This category also extends to Mixed-Use and Live/Work spaces, showcasing the versatility of modern architectural design.

Entrants should showcase their ability to understand the needs of multiple residents, create functional living spaces, and maximize the use of available land. Projects may include apartment buildings, townhouses, condominiums, co-housing communities, and mixed-use developments.

Entries will be judged based on several criteria, which include but are not limited to:

Design Quality: The design should reflect a nuanced understanding of the target market and embrace innovative solutions for modern living.
Functionality and Flow: The floor plan and layout should be thoughtfully planned and executed to maximize functionality, flow, and livability.
Craftsmanship and Quality of Materials: The use of high-quality materials, attention to detail, and the execution of superior craftsmanship of the project.
Innovation and Creativity: Entries should demonstrate original ideas, unique features, and innovative approaches to design challenges.
Contextual Integration: The project should integrate with the surrounding urban or rural context while creating a sense of community and place-making.
Overall Impact: Entries should have a strong visual and emotional impact, create a sense of place, and make a lasting impression.

**Detached Multi*-Dwellings***

The Detached Multi-Dwellings category recognizes innovative and forward-thinking design solutions for properties that feature two or more detached single-family dwellings on a single lot.

This category includes a variety of configurations, such as properties with a primary residence accompanied by one or more accessory dwelling units (ADUs). These ADUs can take the form of guest houses, backyard cottages, or entirely separate living quarters designed to provide additional housing options.

It also encompasses properties with multiple detached single-family residences of equal status, where each dwelling functions independently.

This category celebrates thoughtful urban planning and architectural design that maximizes land use while creating harmonious and functional living spaces, meeting the needs of modern families, multigenerational households, or even rental opportunities.

Entries will be judged based on several criteria, which include but are not limited to:

Design Quality: The design should reflect a nuanced understanding of the target market and embrace innovative solutions for modern living.
Functionality and Flow: The floor plan and layout should be thoughtfully planned and executed to maximize functionality, flow, and livability.
Craftsmanship and Quality of Materials: The use of high-quality materials, attention to detail, and the execution of superior craftsmanship of the project.
Innovation and Creativity: Entries should demonstrate original ideas, unique features, and innovative approaches to design challenges.
Contextual Integration: The site plan should clearly illustrate the relationships between buildings and demonstrate how the site operates as a cohesive whole.
Overall Impact: Entries should have a strong visual and emotional impact, create a sense of place, and make a lasting impression.

Published Design

The Published Design category celebrates meticulously crafted ‘stock’ or ‘pre-drawn’ plans (either built or unbuilt) intended for marketing and sales through various media channels, including books, magazines, or the vast digital landscape of the internet. This category represents a convergence of architectural creativity and commercial viability.

Entrants should showcase their ability to create designs that balance practicality, aesthetic appeal, and marketability. Projects may include house plans, floor plans, and other architectural designs intended for publication or sale.

Entries will be judged based on several criteria, which include but are not limited to:

Design Quality: The design should reflect a nuanced understanding of contemporary architectural styles and trends while embracing innovative solutions for modern living.
Functionality and Flow: The floor plan and layout should be thoughtfully planned and executed to maximize functionality, flow, and livability.
Craftsmanship and Quality of Materials: The use of high-quality materials, attention to detail, and the execution of superior craftsmanship of the project.
Marketability: The project should have strong commercial potential, appeal to a broad audience, and demonstrate an understanding of the target market.
Innovation and Creativity: Entries should demonstrate original ideas, unique features, and innovative approaches to design challenges.
Overall Impact: Entries should have a strong visual and emotional impact, create a sense of place, and make a lasting impression on the prospective purchaser.

Outdoor Living

The Outdoor Living category celebrates extending comfortable living spaces into the natural environment. It encompasses designs for various outdoor structures and hardscape concepts, transcending the boundaries of traditional architecture. This category is not limited to any specific project type, embracing various designs harmoniously blending built environments with the great outdoors.

Entrants should showcase their ability to create designs that integrate with the surrounding natural environment while providing comfortable and functional outdoor living spaces. Projects may include outdoor kitchens, patios, decks, pools, pavilions, pergolas, garden design, landscape architecture, and various hardscape concepts.

We encourage entrants to submit comprehensive documentation, including plans, sections, elevations, photographs, and a written description demonstrating the project’s features and qualities to the judges.

Entries will be judged based on several criteria, which include but are not limited to:

Design Quality: The design should reflect a nuanced understanding of contemporary outdoor living trends while embracing innovative solutions that blend built and natural environments.
Functionality and Flow: The outdoor space should be thoughtfully planned and executed to maximize functionality, flow, and livability.
Craftsmanship and Quality of Materials: The use of high-quality materials, attention to detail, and the execution of superior craftsmanship of the project.
Innovation and Creativity: Entries should demonstrate original ideas, unique features, and innovative approaches to design challenges in outdoor living spaces.
Contextual Integration: The project should be integrated with the surrounding natural environment, weather conditions, and seasonal changes.
Overall Impact: Entries should have a strong visual and emotional impact, create a sense of place, and make a lasting impression on the users.

Indoor Living

The Indoor Living category encapsulates the essence of interior spaces that serve as the heart and soul of a home. This includes spaces like kitchens, bathrooms, great rooms, and studies. This category celebrates the diverse interior spaces that create a cohesive and harmonious indoor living experience.

Entrants should showcase their ability to create designs that balance practicality, aesthetic appeal, and comfort. Projects may include residential interior spaces or public spaces associated with residential buildings, representing innovative solutions to design challenges.

Entries will be judged based on several criteria, which include but are not limited to:

Design Quality: The design should reflect a nuanced understanding of contemporary interior design trends while embracing innovative solutions for modern living.
Functionality and Flow: The indoor space should be thoughtfully planned and executed to maximize functionality, flow, and livability.
Craftsmanship and Quality of Materials: The use of high-quality materials, attention to detail, and the execution of superior craftsmanship of the project.
Sustainability and Energy Efficiency: The extent to which the project integrates sustainable design principles and energy-efficient technologies.
Innovation and Creativity: Entries should demonstrate original ideas, unique features, and innovative approaches to design challenges in indoor living spaces.
Contextual Integration: The project should integrate with the surrounding context, building style, and user preferences.
Overall Impact: Entries should have a strong visual and emotional impact, create a sense of place, and make a lasting impression on the users.

Accessible Living

The Accessible Living category spotlights designs that thoughtfully and creatively apply Universal/Accessible Design and aging-in-place principles. These designs represent aesthetically pleasing and inclusive homes, ensuring ease of access and comfort for all inhabitants regardless of age or ability.

Entrants should showcase their ability to create designs that balance practicality, aesthetic appeal, and accessibility. Projects may include residential, commercial, or public interior and exterior spaces that implement innovative accessibility solutions.

We encourage entrants to submit comprehensive documentation, including plans, sections, elevations, photographs), and a written description demonstrating the project’s features and qualities to the judges.

Entries will be judged based on several criteria, which include but are not limited to:

Design Quality: The design should reflect a nuanced understanding of contemporary accessibility design trends while embracing innovative solutions for modern living.
Functionality and Flow: The design should be thoughtfully planned and executed to maximize accessibility, flow, and livability.
Craftsmanship and Quality of Materials: The use of high-quality materials, attention to detail, and the execution of superior craftsmanship of the project.
Innovation and Creativity: Entries should demonstrate original ideas, unique features, and innovative approaches to design challenges in accessible living spaces.
Contextual Integration: The project should integrate with the surrounding context, building style, and user preferences.
Overall Impact: Entries should have a strong visual and emotional impact, create a sense of place, and make a lasting impression on the users.

Green Designs

The Green Design category recognizes projects that successfully integrate sustainable design principles and environmentally conscious materials into their architecture. These designs demonstrate a commitment to reducing energy consumption, minimizing environmental impact, and promoting healthy living.

Entrants should showcase their ability to create designs that balance practicality, aesthetic appeal, and environmental consciousness. Projects may include residential spaces representing innovative solutions to design challenges while prioritizing sustainability.

Third-party certification or test results that support the project’s sustainability are required to qualify as a Green Design.

Entries will be judged based on several criteria, which include but are not limited to:

Design Quality: The design should reflect a nuanced understanding of contemporary sustainability design trends while embracing innovative solutions for modern living.
Functionality and Flow: The design should be thoughtfully planned and executed to maximize functionality, flow, and livability while minimizing environmental impact.
Craftsmanship and Quality of Materials: The use of high-quality materials, attention to detail, and the execution of superior craftsmanship of the project.
Innovation and Creativity: Entries should demonstrate original ideas, unique features, and innovative approaches to design challenges in green spaces.
Energy Efficiency and Environmental Impact: The extent to which the project integrates sustainable design principles and technologies to minimize energy consumption and environmental impact.
Contextual Integration: The project should integrate with the surrounding context, building style, and user preferences while prioritizing sustainability.
Overall Impact: Entries should have a strong visual and emotional impact, create a sense of place, and make a lasting impression.

Design Feature

The Design Feature category recognizes a single architectural element or detail that is particularly unique or innovative. Entrants should submit a completed project highlighting ONE interior or exterior feature/detail regardless of the completion date.

Entries may include but are not limited to innovative structural systems, material applications, spatial arrangements, lighting designs, or any other game-changing architectural element that sets the project apart.

To be considered, the project submitted must showcase a single, innovative design feature. Only ONE Design Feature per submission will be accepted.

Entrants should clarify in the project description the ONE element, detail, or feature being considered for this entry. CLICK HERE to view a sample.

We encourage entrants to submit comprehensive documentation, including plans, sections, elevations, photographs, and a written description that demonstrates the project’s features and qualities to the judges.

Entries will be judged based on several criteria, which include but are not limited to:

Innovation: The extent to which the design feature showcases a unique or innovative solution to a particular design challenge.
Functionality: The degree to which the design feature enhances the overall functionality of the space.
Aesthetics: The visual appeal and impact of the design feature on the space.
Craftsmanship and Quality of Materials: The quality of materials used and the execution of superior craftsmanship in the design feature.
Contextual Integration: The extent to which the design feature integrates with the surrounding context and building style.
Overall Impact: The design feature’s lasting impression and impact on the users and the space.
The project submitted for consideration must be a completed project, regardless of the completion date.
Entries may highlight a (ONE) interior or exterior feature/detail. CLICK HERE to view a sample.
Only ONE Design Feature per submission will be accepted.
Be clear in the project description of the ONE element, detail, or feature that is being considered for this entry.

Resilient Designs

The Resilient Design category recognizes completed homes that exceed the International Code Council (ICC) standards for natural catastrophes, including extreme winds (tornadoes, hurricanes, microbursts), damaging hail, earthquakes, floods, wildfires, and severe winter weather. The judging for this category will consider both the design’s aesthetics and the structure’s resiliency.

Entrants should submit a finished project, regardless of the completion date, that showcases the home’s superior ability to withstand natural disasters while maintaining its functionality, livability, and aesthetic appeal.

The submission should include specific drawings, details, notes, structural summaries (for wind & and seismic), energy calculations (for extreme winter weather), and any other relevant documents demonstrating how and what type of catastrophe the home was designed to withstand.

Entries will be judged based on several criteria, which include but are not limited to:

Resiliency: The extent to which the home exceeds the minimum ICC standards for resiliency and how the design elements work together to protect the structure from natural disasters.
Functionality and Livability: The degree to which the home maintains its functionality, livability, and aesthetic appeal in the face of natural disasters.
Aesthetics: The visual appeal and impact of the design on the overall space and its integration into the surrounding context.
Craftsmanship and Quality of Materials: The use of high-quality materials, attention to detail, and the execution of superior craftsmanship in the design and construction of the home.
Contextual Integration: The extent to which the home integrates with the surrounding context, building style, and user preferences while prioritizing resiliency.
Additional considerations will be given to homes with nationally recognized disaster certification or engineering test results supporting the project.

Healthy Homes

The Healthy Homes category recognizes completed homes that promote healthy living through innovative design strategies. Entrants should submit a finished project, regardless of the completion date, that showcases elements that promote healthy living, such as creative air and water quality solutions, encouraging physical activity, de-stressing using beautifully designed personal spaces, colors, open spaces, lighting, indoor plants, and gardens. However, these are not the only options.

Entries will be judged based on the creative nature of the “healthy home” solution(s) and their integration into the overall design. The submission should include specific drawings, photographs, and a project description sheet that details the “healthy home” elements and how they contribute to a healthier lifestyle.

Judging criteria include but are not limited to:

Innovative Design Solutions: The extent to which the home incorporates innovative design solutions that promote healthy living.
Functionality and Livability: The degree to which the home maintains its functionality, livability, and aesthetic appeal while prioritizing healthy living.
Integration and Coherence: The extent to which the “healthy home” elements are integrated into the design and coherent with the overall style and context of the home.
Air and Water Quality: The effectiveness of the air and water quality solutions in promoting healthy living.
Encouraging Physical Activity: The effectiveness of design strategies in encouraging physical activity and promoting overall health and wellness.
De-stressing: The effectiveness of design strategies in creating a sense of calm, relaxation, and stress reduction in the home.
Additional considerations will be given to homes that prioritize healthy living for specific user groups, such as seniors, children, or people with disabilities.

Working Drawings

The Working Drawings category recognizes exceptional technical proficiency and attention to detail in the creation of high-quality, comprehensive sets of working drawings. Working drawings are an essential part of the design process, and they serve as the primary communication tool between the architect and all construction team members.

Entrants should submit a set of complete working drawings for a finished project, regardless of the completion date. The submission should include detailed floor plans, sections, elevations, and other relevant documentation, such as schedules and specifications.

We encourage entrants to submit comprehensive documentation, including plans, sections, elevations, details, schedules, and specifications. The submission should clearly indicate the project’s scope, context, and overall intent.

Submissions are open to architects, designers, and building professionals who can showcase their technical expertise and attention to detail in the creation of high-quality, comprehensive sets of working drawings.

Judging for this category will be based on several criteria, which include but are not limited to:

Technical Proficiency: The extent to which the working drawings demonstrate technical proficiency and attention to detail, including accuracy, completeness, clarity, and organization.
Coordination: The effectiveness of the working drawings in coordinating the various disciplines involved in the construction process, including architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing.
Code Compliance: The extent to which the working drawings comply with relevant building codes, regulations, and standards, as well as accepted industry practices.
Constructability: The extent to which the working drawings are designed for constructability, ease of construction, and efficient use of materials and resources.
Clarity and Communication: The effectiveness of the working drawings in communicating the design intent to the construction team and other stakeholders, including clarity of information, notation, and graphic representation.
Additional considerations will be given to working drawings that demonstrate innovation in approach or execution, especially in areas such as sustainability, energy efficiency, or use of technology.

Global Choice

The Global Choice category is an open category of constructed projects to be viewed and voted on by the general public and AIBD Professional members. There will be paid promotion on social media, and AIBD Professional members will be sent individual judging invites. Still, for the most part, each entrant will be responsible for soliciting their votes. Voting is limited to one vote per device. However, multiple votes may be generated from the same IP address. Such as from a large company using the same internet server/router.

Only one entry per designer/firm may be entered into the Global Choice category.
Global Choice entries are placed on a dedicated webpage and available for public viewing and voting.
Global Choice entries will NOT be anonymous.
The project submitted for consideration must be a completed project, regardless of the completion date.
Projects already entered in another category may be entered into the Global Choice category.

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Category Descriptions

Categories

Custom Homes

Model Homes

Renovation

Multi-Family

**Detached Multi*-Dwellings***

Published Design

Outdoor Living

Indoor Living

Accessible Living

Green Designs

Design Feature

Resilient Designs

Healthy Homes

Working Drawings

Global Choice

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