2025 Design Awards

AIA Northeast Illinois is now accepting submissions for the 2025 Design Awards! This is your opportunity to showcase groundbreaking work and be recognized for design excellence in architecture. A distinguished jury will evaluate projects through the lens of the AIA Framework for Design Excellence, honoring those that push boundaries in sustainability, innovation, and community impact. Celebrate the best of architecture in the western suburbs — submit your work and let it shine!

2025 Award Categories

  • Commercial - Retail and Restaurants
  • Healthcare
  • Institutional
    • Educational - K-12, Higher Education
    • Civic, Municipal
  • Interior Architecture
  • Preservation/Renovation
  • Religious
  • Residential
    • Single Family
    • Multi-Family
  • Student Work
  • Unbuilt

Each category will feature both an Honor Award and a Merit Award, recognizing outstanding achievement in design. From the winning projects, the jury will also select one standout as the prestigious Project of the Year—and AIA NEI members will have their say by voting for the coveted Member's Choice Award

Entry Fees

  • Firms with 10 or less employees - $180
  • Firms with 11 or more employees -$225
  • No fee for student entries

To submit your application for the Design Awards:

  1. Register your entry(ies) by clicking --> 
  2. Download and complete the Design Award application. Email the completed form to [email protected].
  3. Download the ppt template to create your project presentation.
  4. Email [email protected] to receive a link to upload your presentation.

The deadline for submissions is July 25, 2025.

Awards will be celebrated on Wednesday, October 15th at the Morton ArboretumRegistration and sponsorship for this event will be available in the coming weeks.

Please email Becky Gilbert at [email protected] or call 630-599-7105 with any questions.