2026 Design Awards Submission

 

In recognition of individual architects and architectural firms who have made a substantial contribution in the field of architecture in our region and around the world, this award celebrates excellence in design that goes far beyond the practice of architecture. Great architecture is about creating an enduring legacy, inspiring people and enriching their lives. Innovative buildings can help shape the way we live and enable us to make the most of the limited resources we have.

AIA|SB’s Design Awards reflect the values and aspirations of our region’s design community while focusing on larger, even global design issues. We recognize that our members work on a variety of challenging projects of every scale. Submissions should reflect a strong sense of place, history, and purpose. We value artfully resolved design and celebrate the fact that good design offers new solutions to new challenges.

All submissions must demonstrate clarity of idea, process and execution through a combination of text, diagrams, drawings, photographs, and other illustrative materials as outlined in these submission guidelines. The Jury will rank each submission as to how it meets the criteria in Section V of this packet. The Jury reserves the right not to make an award in any particular category. Each category may be awarded an Honor, Merit or Honorable Mention. The Jury may award multiples of the same type in any category in the case of ties among submissions. Chapter staff shall ensure that projects remain anonymous. Please refer to AIASB’s statement on Conflict of Interest included herein.

2026 Design Awards Committee:
Clay Aurell, AIA (Chair)
John Margolis, AIA
Keith Rivera, AIA
Jolie Wah, AIA
Dan Weber, AIA
Bob Kupiec, AIA
Cassandra Ensberg, FAIA
Ivonne Schley, Executive Director

I. Schedule

Call for Entries: June 1, 2026
Early Bird Registration deadline: August 5, 2026
Final Registration deadline: August 26, 2026
Submission deadline: September 16, 2026, Entries shall be uploaded / delivered no later than 9:00 PM, PDT
Jury Convenes: October 2026
Design Awards Ceremony: December 3, 2026
Design Awards Exhibition: 2027 Location TBC

II. Eligibility

Licensed architects or firms in good standing membership of AIA|SB are eligible to submit projects. Projects may be located within Santa Barbara County or worldwide. Non AIASB chapter members may submit projects as long as the submission is located in Santa Barbara County. Projects previously awarded by the AIA|SB Design Awards programs are not eligible. Members of the 2021 Design Awards Committee who intend to submit a project for consideration are not eligible to participate in juror selection or deliberations.

III. Entry Fees

AIA|SB Members:
Early Bird Registration $175 ($150 each additional entry,) $100 for entries previously submitted, but not awarded.
After August 5, 2026: $225 ($200 each additional entry,) $150 for entries previously submitted, but not awarded.
Non-Members: $270 ($250 each additional entry,) $200 for entries previously submitted, but not awarded.

NOTE: ALL ENTRY FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE. Fees paid are for 2026 only and may NOT be transferred for any future year’s award program.

IV. Categories

Entrants should carefully consider selecting the most appropriate category for their submission. Projects may be entered in more than one category. To enter in more than one category entrants must register the project separately in each desired category for an additional fee (as an additional entry) (i.e., Commercial Buildings and Santa Barbara Style, etc.) Once submitted, a project cannot change categories, nor can any project be substituted for another project within a category after registration.

Submissions must be projects designed or completed within the previous 10 years (2016-2026.) Phased projects
shall be entered one time only and at the completion of their final phase.

 

 

Excellence of design in projects of commercial, institutional or industrial uses. This category includes

new buildings, substantial remodels and additions. Commercial Interiors shall be submitted under

Category 7 below.

 

 

Excellence of design and construction in single family homes. This category includes new buildings

and extensive remodels and, or additions (greater than 60% of the original building.) Residential

Interiors shall be submitted under Category 6 below. This category may also include an Accessory

Dwelling Unit (ADU) project, if the primary residence is part of the scope of work.

 

 

Excellence of design and construction in structures containing two or more dwellings units. This

category includes Mixed Use buildings containing both residential and non-residential uses. Accessory

Dwelling Unit (ADU) project shall be submitted under Category 6 below.

 

 

This category is open to all projects that use the Department of Interior (DOI) Standards for the care

of Historic Properties; this includes: Preservation, Restoration, Rehabilitation or Reconstruction.

Projects should be eligible for listing as structures of merit, landmarks and existing structures that

are a minimum of fifty years old. This category may include new buildings that are part of a project

that includes an historic structure as long as that historic structure is incorporated into the scope of

work. Submission must demonstrate how the DOI Standards were met in the design solution.

 

 

Projects of Santa Barbara’s time-honored Spanish-Colonial Revival Architecture are eligible to submit

in this category. Projects should clearly demonstrate this unique and established architectural

heritage. Projects may include new, remodels, renovations or additions, and must demonstrate how

the original was either enhanced or converted to Spanish Colonial Revival.

 

 

The Small Projects awards category strives to elevate public awareness of the value of design that

architects provide to small scale or scoped projects. Projects may include residential additions,

interiors, remodels (area of work less than 60% of original building) and Accessory Dwelling Units.

Small Projects up to 1,200 SF with a construction cost not to exceed $750,000.

 

 

Excellence of design and construction interior architecture and design. This category only

includes interiors that have minor exterior scope of work; i.e. exterior window alterations or

treatments to enhance the interior displays.

 

 

There are many projects that get left in the drawer and are not constructed for various reasons. These

projects often can be compelling and innovative. Projects submitted in this category can be of any

type, scale, or location, hypothetical, or a competition entry, as long as the lead design firm is located

in Santa Barbara County and the project has not been constructed and there is no schedule for

construction. No “In Progress” projects will be accepted.

 

V. Submission/Jury Criteria

Your submission should demonstrate the follow measures of excellence:

1. Inspiration: Does the project tell a story about innovative architectural design that is relevant and inspiring? Is the design well-resolved, given the stated project program? Do the materials presented articulate the ambitions of the design?

2. Creative Problem-Solving: What unique problems was the project asked to address regarding: site, budget, program, materials, collaboration or context? Did it address these requirements successfully? Is the relevance and value of design thinking evident in the submission? Do the presentation materials clearly depict the program, context and organizing principles influencing the design?

3. Environmental Sensitivity: Does the project exhibit serious intent to minimize negative environmental impacts and enhance the natural environment? Are metrics, narratives, diagrams, sketches or other clear evidence provided of both modeled and actual performance? This may also include project submissions in response to the COVID Pandemic.

4. Social Transformation/Response: How does the project respond to its social, historical and physical context? Is it sensitive to its physical, social and historical context? Does the project improve the community in which it is situated? Does it exemplify a commitment to enhancing livable communities?

Please note that after you purchase your ticket, you will be asked to enter all the information for your design awards project.

Design Awards Submission Guidelines

 

Register your project today!