2023 Student Design Awards

The AIA San Antonio Design Awards program recognizes outstanding built and un-built architectural projects by local architectural professionals and students and promotes public awareness on the value of Design Excellence. Student Entries will be judged on the merit of quality of design, resolution of the program, conceptual clarity, innovation, thoughtfulness, and execution. 

The People + Place Awards Banquet will be held on Tuesday, November 14. 2023. 

STUDENT AWARDS 

Entry is open to currently enrolled students or recent graduates from UTSA’s School of Architecture and Planning or the San Antonio College Architecture program. Students may submit assigned studio projects, theoretical projects, independent research projects or competition entries completed in the last three academic years (beginning Fall 2020) while enrolled at UTSA or SAC. Each entry will be judged solely on a PDF presentation and a written project description. Online submission is required. See Entry Form for instructions. 

SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS 

PROJECT ENTRY FORM - Complete the online entry form

JURY PDF—submit a PDF presentation that presents the project in detail to the Jury. It should be concise, thorough, and of high graphic quality. Requirements include the following: 

• 20 pages maximum 
• File size to not exceed 20 MB 
• Filename: “Student23ProjectName.pdf” 
• Submittals shall not contain sound, animation, video clips, QR codes, hyperlinks, or links to other files or pages within. 
• The entrant’s identity shall not be present anywhere within the Jury PDF. 
• A Title/Introduction Page is required and shall include the Project Name, project size (in square feet), and location. It shall also include a 250-word maximum written description. 
• Site Plans and Floor Plans shall include a graphic scale and north arrow. 

CEREMONY PDF—submit a separate PDF presentation that will run during the November 14 event. (Note, this PDF is not included in the materials presented to the Jury.) 

• Include four images that best portray the project entry 
• 4 Pages: One full bleed image per page 
• Landscape 16:9 aspect ratio 
• Each page shall include the Project Name and the Entrant’s Name 
• File size to not exceed 20 MB 
• Filename: “Ceremony22ProjectName.pdf” 

PUBLICITY IMAGES—submit the four images from the Ceremony PDF in a format suitable for social media. Requirements are: 

• JPG format, 1,536 pixels maximum dimension 
• Filenames: “ProjectName01.jpg”, “ProjectName02.jpg”, ETC. 

FEES 

There are no entry fees for students. The winning submission will receive complimentary reservations for two to the People + Place Awards Celebration to accept the award. 

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION 

Submissions are due by 11:59 pm, Wednesday, May 31 

Please contact AIA San Antonio (210) 226-4979 with any questions about the submission process. 

2023 People Award Call for Entry

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. 

• The Rising Star Award      salutes young professional leadership. 
• The Trailblazer Award recognizes a mid-career professional who has made significant contributions to the profession of Architecture. 
• The Allied Member Award recognizes an industry partner who has contributed significantly to AIA San Antonio and its members.
• The Legacy Award honors a lifetime of AIA leadership. 
• The Community Partner Award honors an individual outside the practice of architecture whose vision and influence is 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.
• NOMINATION DEADLINE IS JULY 17, 2023.

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

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. 

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. 

Upon final selection, nominators and/or recipients will be contacted to provide high-resolution images as needed. These images will be used for website and media announcements and award presentation. 

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”.

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 2023 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 2023 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

ALLIED MEMBER OF THE YEAR AWARD The Allied Member of the Year Award recognizes an Allied Member whose interest, participation and concern have advanced and contributed significantly to the profession of architecture through their membership and engagement in AIA San Antonio.

ELIGIBILITY Nominee must be an AIA San Antonio Allied Member (company or individual) in good standing for at least three consecutive years by the submission deadline.

CRITERIA 

• Widely recognized for the quality of their work and service to the profession
• Service to AIA San Antonio 
• Evidence of exceptional leadership and contributions to the profession and/or the community
• Promotes the value of Allied Membership within the profession and to the design community

SUBMITTAL Complete the 2023 Submittable Nomination Form to include: 

• A one-page nomination letter 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 summarize the Allied Member's programs, activities and involvement with AIA San Antonio and its members
• 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
• A corporate or company logo, if applicable

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 2023 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 2023 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

The 2023 PEOPLE + PLACE Awards Celebration will be announced on Tuesday, November 14, 2023, 6:00 - 9:00PM.

2023 AWARDS SCHEDULE

• MAY 19, 2023 Call for People Award Nominations Released
• JULY 17, 2023 Nomination deadline for People Awards. 
• JULY 31, 2023 Winners Notified
• NOVEMBER 14, 2023 People + Place Award Celebration

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)