A CELEBRATION OF PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT AND COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP FOR SAN ANTONIO. 

AIA San Antonio’s People Awards recognize leadership achievement at significant stages in an individual’s professional development. 

• RISING STAR AWARD - Salutes young professional leadership. 
• TRAILBLAZER AWARD - Recognizes a mid-career professional who has made significant contributions to the profession of Architecture. 
• LEGACY AWARD - Honors a lifetime of AIA leadership. 
• COMMUNITY PARTNER AWARD - honors an individual outside the practice of architecture whose vision and influence are evidenced in significant urban, environmental or neighborhood impacts.

NOMINATION PROCEDURE

There is no limit to how many years a nominee may be submitted for an award; however, a recipient may receive a specific award only once. Awards are not given posthumously. Chapter members may self-nominate.

THERE IS NO ENTRY FEE FOR PEOPLE NOMINATIONS.

PLEASE NOTE: People Award Nominations are now a 2-Step Process:

STEP 1.      CALL FOR NOMINATIONS 

Monday, May 5 – Monday, June 2 EOD

• Nominee & Nominator's Name, Firm and contact information are submitted under the appropriate category along with a brief description of the nominees’ qualifications for consideration.

STEP 2.     NOMINATION PACKET DUE 

Monday, July 7, 2025.

• Nominees are notified and invited to prepare a nomination packet to complete the process.

NOMINATION PACKET REQUIREMENTS

The information submitted should specifically demonstrate how the nominee’s achievements, work, contributions, and experiences meet the purpose and criteria of the specific award. 

Nominees will be notified of their nomination within 1 week of nomination. 

This notification will include all required materials required to complete the entry. 

All nominations must be entered via Submittable. 

• Nomination materials are to be uploaded as PDF or Image files, and within the limits listed in the individual award nomination guidelines.
• Black text on a light/white background is preferred. Provide succinct narratives and descriptive statements with images. A page is defined as 8.5” x 11”.
• Digital images contained in the PDF file are to be of low resolution.
• PDF files must be smaller than 15MB. PDF Optimizer and the Save As feature of Acrobat Professional will help make files compact without compromising integrity.

SELECTION PROCESS

Nominees are reviewed and scored independently by members of the People + Place Awards Committee. Their recommendations are forwarded to the AIA San Antonio Board of Directors for a secondary review and final confirmation. Once approved both the nominators and recipients will be notified and asked to provide additional materials to be used for website and media announcements and award presentations. 

PEOPLE AWARD CATEGORIES 

RISING STAR 

The Rising Star Award is awarded to a member of AIA San Antonio who has shown exceptional leadership and made significant contributions to the profession in the early stages of his or her architectural career.

ELIGIBILITY

AIA Member or Assoc. AIA Member who has been practicing or licensed fewer than 10 years by the submission deadline.

CRITERIA 

• High qualities of leadership 
• Service to AIA San Antonio 
• Evidence of exceptional leadership and contributions to the profession and/or the community

SUBMITTAL 

Complete the 2025 Submittable Nomination Form to include: 

• A one-page nomination letter written summarizing the nominee’s contributions 
• A biography of the nominee, professional offices and positions held, honors, and activities that relate to the purpose of the award, to include a bulleted list of contributions (not to exceed two pages) 
• Exhibits of a maximum of 6 pages with images and/or other materials that best demonstrate the nominee’s outstanding accomplishments. Please identify all work done by a firm, and the nominee’s role for any projects listed in exhibits. 
• Up to 3 one-page letters of support that are specific in their recommendation and reasons for support. Nomination letters should be addressed to Justin Ford, AIA – Chair, AIA People Awards Committee. 
• A photograph of the nominee

TRAILBLAZER 

The Trailblazer Award recognizes an AIA San Antonio member who, at mid-career, has made significant contributions to the profession of Architecture. This individual’s endeavor, whether specific or broad in nature, will have identified them as a Trailblazer willing to take risk and focused on exceeding all expectations to make an impact.

ELIGIBILITY 

• AIA Member licensed 10 or more years

CRITERIA 

• High qualities of leadership in a specific or broad area of the profession
• Service to AIA San Antonio
• Evidence of exceptional leadership and contributions to the AIA San Antonio Chapter and/or the architectural community

SUBMITTAL

Complete the 2025 Submittable Nomination Form to include:

• A one-page nomination letter written summarizing the nominee’s contributions. This letter should be addressed to Justin Ford, AIA – Chair, AIA People Awards Committee
• A biography or resume of the nominee, to include professional offices and positions held, honors, and activities that relate to the purpose of the award, and a bulleted list of contributions (not to exceed two pages)
• Exhibits of a maximum of 6 pages with images and/or other materials that best demonstrate the nominee’s outstanding accomplishments. Please identify all work done by a firm, and the nominee’s role for any projects listed in exhibits.
• Up to 3 one-page letters of support that are specific in their recommendation and reasons for support.
• A photograph of the nominee

LEGACY AWARD 

The Legacy Award recognizes an AIA San Antonio member for a lifetime of distinguished leadership and dedication to architecture, the profession, and the community. The award, our chapter’s highest honor, recognizes members who, by their example and service, have made significant contributions to the advancement of the profession and their community.

ELIGIBILITY 

• Professional members of AIA San Antonio are eligible for this award; however, as this award recognizes lifetime achievement, nominees should be in the latter phase of their career.

CRITERIA

• Evidence of nominee’s contribution of great depth and breadth, having an individual and collective effect and influence on the profession of architecture 
• Aspects of the nominee’s work or life experience that may have reflected contributions or sensitivity concerning areas of special interest to AIA San Antonio, its members, and the architecture profession 
• Significant contributions to the practice of architecture 
• Significant contributions to the architectural profession 
• Significant contributions to the community

SUBMITTAL

Complete the 2025 Submittable Nomination Form to include: 

• A one-page nomination letter written by the nominating member summarizing the nominee’s contributions and fit to the criteria above 
• A biography of the nominee (not to exceed four pages). A graphic timeline may be included. 
• A statement/list of the nominee’s achievements and awards 
• May include up to 10 pages of exhibits, with descriptive statements and images, demonstrating the nominee’s work 
• A maximum of 3 letters of support explicit in their recommendation 
• A photograph of the nominee

COMMUNITY PARTNER 

The Community Partner Award recognizes an individual who is not an Architect or organization for their extended commitment to community service and/or significant contributions to the community as evidenced in a positive impact on urban, environmental, or neighborhood issues.

ELIGIBILITY

Members of the San Antonio community who are not practicing architects are eligible for this award.

CRITERIA

• Work that has made a difference through leadership, or the singular effort of an individual that has positively impacted the community 
• Demonstration of an extended commitment to community service 
• Evidence of a significant, positive impact on urban, environmental, or neighborhood issues

SUBMITTAL

Complete the 2025 Submittable Nomination Form to include: 

• A one-page nomination letter summarizing the nominee’s contributions 
• A biography of the nominee, including professional history, offices and positions held, honors, and activities, to include a bulleted list of contributions (not to exceed two pages) 
• Exhibits of a maximum of 6 pages with images and/or other materials that best demonstrate the accomplishments or effect of the nominee’s contributions 
• Up to 3 one-page letters of support that are specific in their recommendation and reasons for support. Nomination letters should be addressed to Justin Ford, AIA – Chair, AIA People Awards Committee. 
• A photograph of the nominee

CEREMONY & RECEPTION

The 2025 PEOPLE + PLACE Awards Celebration will be announced on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, 6:00 - 8:00PM

PEOPLE AWARDS SCHEDULE

5-May-25 People Call for Nominations (Step 1)

2-Jun-25 Call for Nominations Closes

7-Jul-25 Nomination Packets Due (Step 2)

25-Jul-25 Winners Notified

28-Jul-25 People Award Recipients Announced

19-Aug-25 People + Place Award Ceremony

SUBMISSION ASSISTANCE 

Please direct any questions regarding submissions or procedures to: 

BELINDA SANCHEZ, MANAGING DIRECTOR

AIA San Antonio | belinda@aiasa.org | 210.544.0898 (CELL, TEXT ONLY PLEASE) 

A highly anticipated annual chapter event, AIA San Antonio’s People + Place Awards recognize outstanding architectural projects by AIA members that promote public awareness of the value of design.

New in 2025:

• Awards season is earlier in the year
• Streamlined Project Categories for clarity
• NEW Project Category: Local Partner Award
• Expanded Additional Consideration Award Categories
• Historic Award is now an Additional Consideration Award
• Community Impact Award returns as an Additional Consideration Award

Submissions are due on Monday, June 30, 2025.

Place Awards 

Recognizes excellence in built projects. Entries are evaluated on the merit of the quality of design, resolution of the program, conceptual clarity, innovation, thoughtfulness, and execution.

Projects are juried by project category/subcategory. Subcategories may be merged into their single larger primary Project Category if one or more subcategories do not receive enough entries to remain viable on their own. At the jury’s discretion, award recognition in any category/subcategory may be given to as many or as few projects as are deemed worthy by the jury.

Built works should be submitted into the most appropriate project subcategory below. The jury may at their discretion move a project to a different category. Project Categories 1 through 4 encompass all built work including new construction, renovation, or adaptive reuse of existing structures.

1) Residential: all projects intended for habitation

1A) Single-Family under 3,000 SF—any single-family residential project (e.g., primary or secondary residence)

1B) Single-Family over 3,000 SF—any single-family residential project (e.g., primary or secondary residence)

1C) Multifamily—any project inhabited by multiple tenants on a single contiguous site

2) Small Scale: any architectural work under 1,500 SF—open to all project types (e.g., cabin, pool or guest house, pavilion, barn, garage, or installation including temporary)

3) Commercial: Any building for profit-generating activities (includes hospitality but excludes residential). 

3A) Commercial under 7,500 SF (e.g., small office, restaurant, bar, café)

3B) Commercial over 7,500 SF (e.g., corporate headquarters, large office, retail, hospitality)

3C) Architectural Interiors: any Commercial Interior space (e.g., finish-out within a shell space)

4) Civic/Institutional/Educational: any publicly funded, nonprofit, or educational project

4A) Civic/Institutional—any publicly funded or nonprofit project used primarily for a civic or institutional purpose (e.g., Courthouse, Municipal Building, Hospital, Church, Museum, or Recreational Facility)

4B) Educational—any project intended for learning (e.g., K-12, Higher Education, Training Center)

5) Local Partner Award—recognizes excellence in collaboration in a supporting role demonstrating the importance of local advocacy in partnering with design teams from outside the chapter. This is a standalone category encompassing all project types. It is open to all built projects located within the chapter where the project team includes a local chapter member or firm in a supporting role or Architect of Record, and the design was led by a firm from outside the chapter. Entrants submitting projects for this consideration should acknowledge the design team. The written project description should state the local firm’s contribution to the overall design and documentation process and the impact their collaboration had on the complete project.

6) Unbuilt Work: recognizes design excellence in proposed or unrealized work

Additional Consideration Awards

Projects entered in Project Categories 1, 2, 3 or 4 above may also be submitted for any, or all the following Additional Consideration Awards, provided the entry meets the additional submission and eligibility requirements for each award.

The COTE Award—The Committee on the Environment (COTE) Award recognizes projects that embody a holistic vision of design excellence that supports human health, vibrant communities, and ecological resilience.

Historic Award—recognizes excellence in projects of any category that preserve, restore, or rehabilitate existing buildings with a historic designation (part of a historic district or an individual landmark). These projects celebrate historic structures of architectural or cultural value. Any modifications or additions should support the continued use of the building and enhance the historic features. The project should retain a high degree of the original character post-restoration/rehabilitation. Before and after photos highlighting the historic building are strongly encouraged for context.

Mayor's Choice Award—recognizes outstanding design in publicly funded local projects. Projects located within Bexar County and constructed with public funding from the City of San Antonio are eligible.

Community Impact Award—recognizes built projects that positively impact our community. Projects located within Bexar County are eligible. Entries in this category must include a 150-250 word Impact Statement explaining how the project addresses one or more of the following criteria:

• Economic Disparity—Projects that address economic disparity in the larger community or individuals served by the project.
• Educational Inequity—Projects that address educational inequities and promote the advancement of quality education for all.
• Community Engagement—Projects that promote and integrate a participatory design process and greater civic engagement.
• Design Excellence—Projects that integrate effective social outcomes within the highest level of design expectations.
• Health Outcomes—Projects that promote healthier outcomes for the larger community or individuals served by the project.
• Human Rights—Projects that contribute to the respect and observance of human equality and fundamental freedoms for all, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, age, or disability.

Eligibility

1) All built projects submitted must have been completed after May 1, 2015, and prior to May 1, 2025.

2) Entrants are required to be a member of AIA San Antonio and licensed by the Texas Board of Architectural Examiners at the time of the project’s completion.

3) For Built or Unbuilt projects where several parties share responsibilities for a project, the Architect must be an AIA San Antonio member, and credit must be given to all who contributed substantially to the project. Primary portions of the design of the project submitted must have been performed by AIA San Antonio members and their firms located within the chapter region. Work performed outside the chapter region by subsidiary offices of locally established firms is ineligible.

4) An entrant may submit up to, but not more than, four (4) completed projects.

5) Projects completed in any geographic region or country are eligible.

6) Efforts by successor firms, individuals, or joint venture members should be coordinated prior to entering a project. Disqualifications resulting from multiple entries are not the responsibility of AIA San Antonio.

7) Projects are to be submitted into the most appropriate single Project Category. Submitting a project into more than one category is not allowed. The jury may move a project to a different category. Disqualifications resulting from multiple entries are not the responsibility of AIA San Antonio.

8) Separate entries of related projects are eligible (e.g., the interior completion of a lease space by one Architect within the shell building designed by another Architect).

9) Submission of a project represents permission from the entrant, the owner, and photographer to publish the project.

10) Projects that have won an AIA San Antonio Design Award in prior years are not eligible.

11) Projects that have previously been recognized with solely the Mayor’s Choice Award or Community Impact Award are eligible to resubmit.

12) Completed projects that have won an Unbuilt Award are eligible to submit as a Built Project.

Submission Requirements

All project entries will be reviewed by the jury online via the Submittable platform. All submissions must include the following:

1) Completed Submittable Entry Form—all required fields must be completed. All submissions are final and may not be edited or changed, no exceptions.

2) Common App Document—this form highlights project strategies that address the AIA Framework for Design Excellence in a concise, standardized format for juror consideration.

a) Design Award applicants are required to complete the introductory section and ONLY TWO of the ten measures listed in the Common App project data sheet that best represent their project.

b) COTE Award applicants should complete all ten measures of the Common App to the best of their ability. Fields that are not applicable, or where information is unavailable, enter N/A.

c) Note: the 2025 common app form has been updated. Do not reuse the 2024 form.

d) Please submit the Common App form as an Excel file to ensure legibility.

3) Jury PDF—submit a PDF that thoroughly presents the project to the Jury. It should be concise and of high graphic quality. Requirements include:

a) 20 pages maximum, landscape orientation preferred

b) File size not to exceed 20 MB

c) Filename: “Jury25ProjectName.pdf”

d) All submissions shall include a Title Page including ALL the following:

• A detailed Written Description up to 250 words including program requirements, sustainability goals, and design process
• Project Name
• Project Size (in square feet)
• Location
• Date of Completion
• The Title Page may include an image

e) For all projects categories, except Interiors, include a Site Plan with a Graphic Scale and North Arrow

f) Floor Plans and Elevations should be clearly marked with a Graphic Scale and North Arrow

g) For Renovation/Restoration projects, indicate preexisting conditions with plans and/or photographs.

h) Project Images—selected images that convey the qualitative aspects and design intentions of the project. Images may be full bleed. Supporting diagrams and text may also be included.

i) Submittals shall not contain transitions, sound, animation, video clips, QR codes, hyperlinks, or links to other files.

j) The entrant’s and/or firm’s identity shall not be present anywhere within the Jury PDF or the Common App

4) Publicity Images—submit four that best portray the project. These images will be used during the ceremony event and may be provided to the media.

a) JPEG format, landscape, 16:9 aspect ratio

b) 1920x1080 minimum resolution

c) 5MB maximum file size

d) Filenames: “ProjectName01.jpg”, “Project Name02.jpg”, etc.

5) Social Media Image—submit one single image for AIA San Antonio’s Social Media Place Awards Campaign.

a) JPEG format, landscape, 16:9 aspect ratio

b) 1920x1080 minimum resolution

c) Landscape format only. Vertical images will not be accepted.

d) Filename: “ProjectNameSM.png”

e) Please provide your social media handle (e.g., Facebook: @aiasa; Instagram: @aia_san_antonio)

f) Provide up to five desired Hashtags to be included with your post (e.g., #architecture, #design, etc.)

6) Exhibition Board—provide a mounted Project Board to be included in the gallery exhibition

a) Single full color image, full bleed, on gloss finish paper

b) Include the Project Name, Location and the Entrant’s or Firm’s Name

c) Dry-mounted on 24” x 24” x ¼” thick black gator board

d) Boards are due by 5pm Monday, August 18, 2025 at the Center for Architecture, 1344 South Flores, Suite 102

e) Boards may be submitted to Thomas Printworks for printing, mounting, and delivery at a preferred fixed rate. Please contact Thomas Printworks 210-829-7000 for more information.

Entry Fees & Deadline

Entry Fee: $250 per entry. Submissions are due by 11:59 p.m. June 30, 2025. Submission fee includes one RSVP to attend the People + Place Awards Celebration on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, when award recipients are revealed. This is an exclusive invitation-only event for award entrants and sponsors.

Late Entry Fee: $100 additional fee for entries submitted after the June 30 deadline. Late entries will be accepted up until 11:59 p.m. July 7, 2025.

Events

PEOPLE + PLACE AWARDS CELEBRATION will be held in-person on the evening of Tuesday, August 19, 2025, from 6 to 8 p.m.

PEOPLE + PLACE AWARDS EXHIBITION: AIA San Antonio will exhibit all the 2025 People + Place Design Awards submittals in the Center for Architecture Gallery in November.

Contact

Please direct any questions regarding submissions or procedures to: belinda@aiasa.org

Belinda Sanchez, Managing Director, AIA San Antonio

210.226.4979 Office 210.544.0898 Cell (SMS texts only please)