2026 ASPIRE DESIGN AWARDS CALL FOR ENTRIES

Celebrating Design Excellence Across the Southeast

INTENT
 

The 2026 Southeast AIA Aspire Awards recognize architectural work that exemplifies design excellence, leadership, and impact across the Southeastern United States. These awards celebrate projects, practices, and ideas that elevate the built environment while advancing environmental stewardship, social equity, resilience, and design innovation.

Aspire invites architects and design teams to submit work that aligns with the AIA Framework for Design Excellence, a holistic, values‑based approach that defines what it means to create ecological restorative environments, interior design, engineering, site, and architecture that is good for people, good for the planet, and grounded in community; informing the public of the importance of design.

ELIGIBILITY
All entries in Professional Design Awards categories shall be projects executed and designed by AIA members in an Aspire state (Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina). Additionally, the Design Partner Awards shall be executed in conjunction with an AIA member and an IIDA or ASLA member.  Projects may have been executed anywhere in the United States or abroad and must have been substantially completed after January 1, 2021. The number of entries submitted by a firm or individual is not limited. Projects that have previously won an Aspire award are not eligible in that category. All projects, regardless of style, building type, or location are eligible. Entries are welcomed and encouraged from both established and new practitioners at any size firm. Additionally, entries of all project programs, types, budgets, et cetera are encouraged.

All entries in the Student Design Awards category shall be projects executed and designed by students currently enrolled in an accredited architecture degree program, landscape architecture or interior design program or those who have graduated after January 1, 2026.  Students may enter individually or in teams and must be sponsored by an instructor or professor in an architecture program in an Aspire state. 

UNPAID LABOR DECLARATION POLICY FOR DESIGN AWARDS ENTRANTS
If you cannot answer 'Yes' to the Unpaid Labor Declaration Policy below, you are not eligible to submit for the Aspire Design Awards. 

“The firm does not utilize, employ, or otherwise engage labor that is unpaid, including working students, and neither does any firm of which the candidate is an owner or manager, in part or in whole.

The firm acknowledges this wording shall cover all persons working under their employ, regardless of position or title. Exceptions recognized by Federal law (such as legally defined internships or educational cooperative programs) are exempt from this Policy.

The firm further acknowledges that they have not utilized any unpaid labor as defined above for any work submitted for this awards program. The submitter personally acknowledges adherence to the terms of this Policy.”

DESIGN AWARDS : Semi-Finalists will be announced Mid-August.  Winners will be announced at the design awards on September 13, 2026 in Asheville, NC.  Everyone who submits is encouraged to attend Apsire and support one’s peers in the profession.

THE DUKE ENERGY DESIGN ASSISTANCE AWARD
New this year, projects that participated in the Energy Design Assistance program will be eligible for the Duke Energy Design Assistance Award. To confirm eligibility for this award, see the "Duke Energy Design Assistance Award Eligibility" question on the Project Information submission form.

Click here for more information on the Energy Design Assistance program.

UNPAID LABOR DECLARATION POLICY FOR PROFESSIONAL DESIGN AWARDS ENTRANTS
If you cannot answer 'Yes' to the Unpaid Labor Declaration Policy below, you are not eligible to submit for the Aspire Design Awards. 

“The firm does not utilize, employ, or otherwise engage labor that is unpaid, including working students, and neither does any firm of which the candidate is an owner or manager, in part or in whole.

The firm acknowledges this wording shall cover all persons working under their employ, regardless of position or title. Exceptions recognized by Federal law (such as legally defined internships or educational cooperative programs) are exempt from this Policy.

The firm further acknowledges that they have not utilized any unpaid labor as defined above for any work submitted for this awards program. The submitter personally acknowledges adherence to the terms of this Policy.”

QUESTIONS
Please direct all inquiries to Robert Harrahill AIA SC Executive Director. robert@aiasc.org