The Record Awards are back! The editors are currently accepting submissions to the newly established awards program, which seeks to recognize the year’s best built and unbuilt projects as well as honor leading and emerging voices in the field. Awardees will be featured in a future issue of the magazine. See below for the award categories, deadlines, and submission guidelines.

DEADLINE

Submit your entry by July 15, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET.

 

AWARD CATEGORIES

Building of the Year
Awarded to a single building, completed within the eighteen months prior to the competition deadline, that exemplifies excellence in architectural design. Firms cannot directly apply to this award—the project will be selected, by the editors, from the winners of the “Best of Architecture” categories, listed below.

Best of Architecture Award
Awarded to a single building, completed within the eighteen months prior to the competition deadline, in each of the following categories. At the discretion of the jury, runners-up or no winners may be selected for certain categories.

• Adaptive Reuse (any building type)*
• Civic & Government
• Colleges & Universities
• Details & Facades
• Health Care
• Hospitality
• Housing
• Museums
• Office & Workplace
• Parks & Recreation
• Performance Spaces
• Pre-K-12
• Restoration (any building type)*
• Sports
• Tall Buildings
• Transportation & Infrastructure
• Unbuilt (Student/Recent Graduate)
• Unbuilt (Firm/Practice)**
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• *The Adaptive Reuse and Restoration categories are intended to recognize projects that exemplify innovative approaches to the reuse of materials and spaces.
•  
• **The Unbuilt category is intended to recognize speculative work, architectural research, non-winning competition entries, and cancelled projects—not buildings that are currently breaking ground or under construction.

Architect of RECORD
Recognizing a lifetime of achievement in the profession and exceptional work published in the pages of the magazine.

Innovator of the Year
For outstanding contributions to the built environment that push disciplinary boundaries. Architects, engineers, building scientists, and related professionals are all eligible for the prize.

Rising Professional Award
Awarded to a leading architect or designer, under 50 years of age, who is shaking up the profession.

 

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Best of Architecture Awards
In addition to completing an online questionnaire (link above), please prepare a project portfolio. The document must be formatted as a multi-page, horizontally oriented PDF (no larger than 10 Mb total) and include:

1. A succinct project description (no more than 500 words) that lists the architect or firm name, program, brief, location, and solution. Please note any significant sustainable, technological, or material features.
2. A comprehensive selection of at least 15 high-quality, professionally photographed images showing the exterior and furnished interiors. Do not include more than two images per page. Please note that Architectural Record does not cover licensing fees for this competition.
3. Labeled plans and sections with scale and north arrow. Include any critical details or sketches.

Unbuilt Architecture
If you are applying to this category, please follow the instructions listed below. In addition to completing an online questionnaire, please prepare a project portfolio. The document must be formatted as a multi-page, horizontally oriented PDF (no larger than 10 Mb total) and include:

• A succinct project description (no more than 500 words) that lists the program, brief, location, and solution. If a firm is applying, please include the practice’s name; students and recent graduates should list their names as well as identify their school. Be sure to explain the origins of the project (Was it a studio or thesis assignment? Was it a submission to a competition? Was it a speculative project?)
• A comprehensive selection of at least 6 renderings showing the exterior and interiors. Do not include more than two images per page. Please note that Architectural Record does not cover licensing fees for this competition.
• Labeled plans and sections with scale and north arrow. Include any critical details or sketches.

Individual Awards
In addition to completing an online questionnaire, please prepare a portfolio of the individual’s design work and/or research. The document must be formatted as a multi-page, horizontally oriented PDF (no larger than 10 Mb total) and include:

• A succinct statement (no more than 500 words) outlining the applicant’s contributions to the profession and why they deserve the award.
• A selection of six to ten completed projects by the applicant, illustrated with professional photography. Include brief descriptions (200 words or less) for each project and explain the applicant’s role (design principal, project manager, etc.).
• An appended CV/resume that includes a portrait, alma mater, professional work experience, and teaching positions.

Although there isn’t an age limit for applicants to the Architect of Record and Innovator of the Year awards, the jury will prioritize applicants who are under 50 years of age for the Rising Professional award.

 

TIMELINE

The jury will begin reviewing submissions in July. Applicants will be notified of decisions by the end of September.

 

JURY

A jury of practicing architects, from a range of firm sizes and expertise, and Architectural Record editors will select winners of the Best of Architecture Awards. They will judge submissions based on a set of criteria, including quality of design, sustainability, and innovation. Recipients of the individual awards will be selected by a jury of Record editors.

 

FEES

Entry fees range from $200 - $300 depending on firm size.

• Early Bird Discount (ends May 15)
  Firms under 80 people: $150
  Firms over 80 people: $250
• Regular
  Firms under 80 people: $200
  Firms over 80 people: $300
• Students/Recent Graduates
  $25

 

QUESTIONS

Any questions about the survey can be directed to arcallforentries@bnpmedia.com. Please include “Architectural Record Awards” in the subject line.

For password or technical assistance with the survey platform, please email contests-surveys@bnpmedia.com.