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Platinum Spoonsors

 

Gold Sponsors

                                                                              

                              

MISSION

The AIA Westchester + Hudson Valley Design Awards Program will honor projects exhibiting excellence in design and the people that improve our built environment. The Program’s goals are to recognize local architects who have made a positive aesthetic and social contribution to the built environment, and as a result have increased public awareness of quality architectural design.

ELIGIBILITY

Completed or unbuilt work by a licensed Architect, Associate AIA member, or firm located within the chapter area or completed work within the chapter area by an Architect/firm located outside the chapter area. The work must be completed between January 2019 and August 2024. There is no limit to the number of projects submitted and applicants are encouraged to submit as many projects as desired.

JUDGING

Projects will be evaluated on one or more of the following criteria:

  • DESIGN QUALITY reflecting resolution of the program or idea; innovation, thoughtfulness, and technique.
  • DESIGN RESOLUTION of formal, functional and technical parameters.
  • DESIGN ADVANCEMENT through proposing new approaches to the development of architectural and/or urban form.
  • SOCIAL ADVANCEMENT demonstrating a commitment to social progress.
  • TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENT exploring new technologies and/or their architectural applications.
  • ENVIRONMENTAL ADVANCEMENT demonstrating a commitment to environmentally sensitive design, sustainability and/or energy/resources conservation.
  • PRESERVATION / RESTORATION demonstrating skill, sensitivity and thoughtfulness in preservation, restoration, or the adaptive re-use of existing buildings.

The jury shall be comprised of a panel of architects from another regional AIA chapter. The jury shall review projects based on the program outline, criteria, and rules as described herein. By entering, each entrant accepts and agrees to be bound by these official rules and the decisions of the judges. Any dispute regarding these rules or awards will be resolved by the jury and the executive committee of the AIA Westchester + Hudson Valley, and their decision shall be final. A maximum of three (3) awards shall be granted to a single applicant.

NEW THIS YEAR: The jury shall be comprised of a panel of 3-5 industry professionals nominated by the Chapter. Qualifications for jury appointments include: working or retired individuals with professional experience in the Chapter’s market area, architectural design, local government, or related fields. Jury members should be unbiased individuals who recognize the value of quality design in our community. Jury members are not permitted to make submissions to the Design Awards program.

AWARD CATEGORIES

Entries shall be submitted in one (1) of the following categories, which are intended to be inclusive of new construction, additions, alterations, and unbuilt work. If you feel your submission does not fit into a single category, please proceed with your submission and the committee members and/or jury members will place your entry into a category. The number of awards granted shall be at the sole discretion of the jury. Additionally, based on their review of the submissions, the jury may decide that awards not be grated in every category.

  1. Commercial / Corporate
  2. Institutional - Education, Medical, Religious
  3. Interior Architecture
  4. Municipal / Community / Planning
  5. Residential - Single Family
  6. Residential - Renovations / Additions
  7. Residential Pools, Pool Houses and Pergolas
  8. Residential - Multi-Family
  9. Historic Restoration / Adaptive Re-Use
  10. Unbuilt - Professional / Student

The jury has the option of selecting projects within specific areas of excellence for special mention awards. Special award categories might include:

  • Preservation
  • Sustainability
  • Design Research
  • Materials / Color
  • Lighting
  • Work by Emerging Professionals

The award levels of recognition may include: High Honor, Honor + Citation.

COMMUNITY RECOGNITION HONORS:

The WHV-AIA Board of Directors will review submissions for special community recognition for individuals or firms that partner with our chapter members resulting in significant improvements to our region's built environment. Nominations must be made by a chapter member. The following list of professionals may be considered:

  • Consulting Engineers / Specialty Design Consultants
  • Owner's Representatives / Construction Managers
  • Local / Regional Government Officials

LONGEVITY AWARDS:

The WHV-AIA Board of Directors will review submissions for Lifetime Achievement and Architectural Milestone recognition. Nominations must be made by a chapter member. The following categories may be considered:

  • Lifetime Achievement Award (Architect / Engineer)
  • Architecture Award for Significant Building (25-year and 50-year)

PROGRAM SCHEDULE

REGISTRATION BY                                    Monday, September 16, 2024

SUBMISSIONS DUE                                   Friday, September 27, 2024

JURY REVIEW                                            October 2024 (within first two weeks of month)    

AWARD NOTIFICATION                              Mid-October 2024

SPONSORSHIP FINAL REQUESTS           Mid-October 2024

AWARDS PRESENTATION                         November 15, 2024 at WCC Gateway Center

*Please mark your calendar.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Each entry shall be submitted via the Openwater Project Submission Form (link below), and shall include:

PROJECT INFORMATION:

  • Project and team identification.
  • A brief description for presentation and publication.

SUBMISSION PDF:

  • Name this PDF “SUB-Project Name”. “Project name” is the actual name of your project. 
  • The first page of the Submission PDF shall include the Project Information Sheet which shall include “Project Name”, “Short Project Summary”, “Project Type”, “Project Square Footage”, “Project Budget”, “Completion Date”, and “Zoning Constraints.”
  • The first or second page of the Submission PDF shall include a Project Narrative, which shall describe the project goals, solutions, and accomplishments. The project Narrative shall not exceed 300 words.   
  • The submission PDF shall be formatted as a single document / file, with multiple pages. The number of pages in the Submission PDF is at the discretion of the entrant. However, over 20 pages is discouraged.
  • The maximum size for the Submission PDF file shall be 20MB.
  • Submission graphics shall be at the discretion of the entrant. However, as applicable, the submission should include the following: site plan, floor plan(s), elevations, photographs (built projects), and site context photographs.  Site and/or building sections are recommended.
  • The Submission PDF shall include no logos or text identifying the submitter. Circumstantial information such as prior awards, which may tip the jury, are grounds for disqualification.
  • Photography credit may remain on photographs. Where authorship is not indicated on the images or would compromise anonymity, list credits in the Project Information.

SUBMISSION PDF (COMMUNITY RECOGNITION HONORS & LONGEVITY AWARDS):

  • Similar to above for design awards submission.
  • First page of submission should include the heading "For Community Recognition Honors" or "For Longevity Award Consideration"

MARKETING IMAGES:

  • Include 3 to 5 images that best capture the essence of the submission.  Images shall be in JPEG (.jpg) format, with a minimum image size of 2000 x 3000 pixels, and a maximum file size of 2MB each.  Include photography credits for each photograph.

TIPS FROM PAST YEARS:

  • Please use a relatively generic project name, e.g. “Highway House”; avoid specific addresses or identifying information as much as possible.
  • Clearly outline and identify the scope of the project. Do not leave the jury guessing.
  • Include before and after photos and drawings where applicable.
  • Sustainable design, energy efficiency, health and wellness, adaptive reuse, affordable housing, etc. are all consistently prioritized by juries.
  • If your project is under construction, wait until it is complete to submit. Completed projects are judged more favorably.
  • Tell a compelling story.

FEES (PER ENTRY):

$50 for Student Submissions

$200 for AIA-WHV Chapter Members (Small firms - 6 or fewer staff) or Associate Chapter Members

$300 for AIA-WHV Chapter Members (greater than 6 staff)

$400 for AIA Firms outside of the WHV Chapter / Non-Members

The entry fee includes the cost of two (2) people to attend the Design Awards Gala. Additional tickets and sponsoring opportunities may be obtained by contacting the chapter office. Please call Valerie Brown (914) 232-7240 for more information.

DIRECTIONS TO EVENT:

The Gateway Center is located on the Valhalla campus of Westchester Community College. The closest campus entrance is the East Gate entrance off route 100C. You will see the building immediately ahead as you enter the campus. Parking for the event is in lot 11. For further details and a campus map, please see the college's website: Maps & Directions - SUNY Westchester Community College 

 

We look forward to a celebratory event at the Westchester Community College Gateway Center on November 15, 2024.