Architectural Excellence Special Awards

Every year, AIA Pennsylvania recognizes one firm whose passion and practice have produced notable architecture for at least a decade. Deserving firms will have demonstrated excellence in design and leadership through any combination of the following criteria: the breadth and/or depth of their portfolio, a healthy firm culture, influence on the practice of architecture, exemplary outcomes for clients and/or society.

Award eligibility: Firms with at least one AIA Pennsylvania principal owner that have been in operation for ten (10) years. Current AIA Pennsylvania Board Members’ firms are ineligible.

Nomination eligibility: AIA Pennsylvania member-led firms are encouraged to self-nominate for the Architecture Firm Award. Endorsement of an external "primary nominator" is not required. If self-nominating, the primary nominator named should be a principal owner of the firm that maintains AIA membership.

View past recipients’ feature shorts >

The Medal of Distinction is the highest award bestowed by AIA Pennsylvania upon a living AIA Pennsylvania member. The recipient shall have made contributions to architecture that transcend local boundaries and have been of benefit to the profession and citizens of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Award eligibility: AIA Pennsylvania members. Current AIA Pennsylvania Board Members are ineligible.

Nomination eligibility: AIA Pennsylvania members eligible for the Medal of Distinction are encouraged to self-nominate with the support of a named "primary nominator," meaning nominees may fill out the nomination with the authorization of the "primary nominator," an AIA member(s) in their network.

View past recipients’ feature shorts >

The Social Impact Award, formerly the Impact Designer Award, recognizes a wide range of design disciplines held together by a common goal to design and create a better world through innovative, scalable, and measurable solutions. Impact design is rooted in the core belief that design can be used to create positive social, environmental, and economic change, and focuses on actively measuring impact to inform and direct the design process.

Award eligibility: AIA Pennsylvania members, architecture firms with at least one AIA Pennsylvania principal owner, or allied organizations with employees ineligible for AIA Pennsylvania membership.

Nomination eligibility: AIA Pennsylvania member-led firms are encouraged to self-nominate for the Social Impact Award (Firm Nominee). Endorsement of an external "primary nominator" is not required. If self-nominating, the primary nominator named should be a principal owner of the firm that maintains AIA membership.

AIA Pennsylvania members eligible for the Social Impact Award (Individual Nominee) are encouraged to self-nominate with the support of a named "primary nominator," an AIA member (s) in their network. Nominees may fill out the nomination with the authorization of the "primary nominator."

The Young Architect Award, formerly the Emerging Professional Award, recognizes the achievements and future promise of a licensed architect and to promote their continuing development. The applicant’s contribution to the profession can be through one or more of the following: design excellence, leadership in practice, leadership in education, or service to the profession or society.

Award eligibility: Registered architect members of AIA Pennsylvania whose date of initial licensure is less than 10 years ago, as of the date of the nomination deadline.

Nomination eligibility: AIA Pennsylvania members eligible for the Young Architect Award are encouraged to self-nominate with the support of a named "primary nominator," an AIA member (s) in their network. Nominees may fill out the nomination with the authorization of the "primary nominator."

Additional nomination requirements: A letter of recommendation endorsed by the primary nominator (AIA PA member) or another AIA PA member.

The Emerging Professional Award, formerly the Associate Award, recognizes an individual who has demonstrated outstanding leadership, creativity, and significant contributions to their communities, the architecture profession, and the AIA.

Award eligibility: AIA Pennsylvania Associate members who have completed their academic studies up to the point of licensure or up to 10 years after completion of their academic studies.

Nomination eligibility: AIA Pennsylvania members eligible for the Emerging Professional Award are encouraged to self-nominate with the support of a named "primary nominator," an AIA member (s) in their network. Nominees may fill out the nomination with the authorization of the "primary nominator."

Additional nomination requirements: A letter of recommendation should be endorsed by the primary nominator (AIA PA member) or another AIA PA member.

The Allied Trades Award, renamed in 2019 in honor of Raymond J. Sinagra’s collaborative, whatever-it-takes spirit and dedication to the AEC community, is presented for contributions to the built environment by a contractor, developer, civil engineer, or other allied professional. The award honors those professionals who bring architects’ work into reality and who uphold the tenets of design, sustainability and collaboration.

Award eligibility: Non-member allied professionals and firms/companies/organizations including AIA PA allied members and preferred partners.

The Contributions to the Profession by a Non-Architect Award honors individuals, corporations, associations, or other groups who do not practice architecture. Recipients will be cited for their direct contributions to the profession such as a building program, a public works project, publications, theoretical or applied research in zoning, urban design, interiors, planning, energy conservation, preservation, restoration transportation, industrial design, artistic endeavors, or other significant disciplines which have had a strong influence on the field of architecture.

Award eligibility: Non-member professionals and firms/companies/organizations.

The Government Award is given in recognition of significant contributions to, or particular support of, the profession and business of Architecture and/or the built environment. Anyone working in state or local government such as legislators, department secretaries, township officials, etc. are eligible for the award as an individual or specified group.

Award eligibility: Individual or specified group working in state or local government, such as a legislator, state, or township official, etc.

The COTE Government Award is given in recognition of significant contributions to, or support of, the AIA Pennsylvania Committee on the Environment or COTE mission to advocate for a healthy, safe, efficient, resilient, and beautiful built environment for the common good.

Award eligibility: Individual or specified group working in state or local government, such as a legislator, state, or township official, etc.

The 50 Year Timeless Architecture Award recognizes a building that has endured the test of time and still resonates with the design community and the public.

Award eligiblity: Buildings must be at least fifty (50) years old established from the date of completion to the date of the submission deadline and be located in the State of Pennsylvania.

View past recipients’ feature shorts >

The President’s Award is presented at the discretion of the President of the Board of Directors, in recognition of special contributions and/or particular support of the profession, the business of architecture, or the built environment, in Pennsylvania.

The President’s Award is presented at the discretion of the President of the Board of Directors, in recognition of special contributions and/or particular support of the profession, the business of architecture or the built environment, in Pennsylvania. The award is open to anyone, including members, non-members, architects and others.