Colorado Real Estate Journal - June 1, 2016
AIA Colorado hosts a diverse range of awards programs to celebrate the exemplary work of individual member architects and firms, as well as recognize projects that represent the highest level of design achievement. Architecture expresses the values of society and has the power to enhance the quality of life for this and future generations. By showcasing their works, architects advocate for responsible design resulting in beautiful, healthy places that respect and accommodate society’s diverse cultures and needs. AIA Colorado’s upcoming Design Awards not only inform the public of the breadth and value of architectural practice, but also provide architects an avenue to be recognized by their peers for their achievements in design excellence. We are excited to share that AIA Colorado is now accepting submissions for its 2016 AIA Colorado and Local Design Awards, with AIA Colorado West submittals due Friday, July 15, and AIA Colorado, North, South and Denver submittals due Friday, July 29. Members of AIA Colorado may submit their built and unbuilt works for consideration by a select panel of jurors for recognition on a statewide and/or local level. Whether you are an architect, engineer or contractor who contributes to a winning project, a Design Award can help build credibility, increase visibility and even generate potential business leads. Design excellence is a reflection of successful collaboration between members of the building community, and the Design Awards are an opportunity to showcase our collective achievements. The statewide AIA Colorado Design Awards highlight the exceptional works of member architects whose firms are located across the state. These awards exemplify design excellence in architecture, and in doing so, help to advance the interests of the profession and the more than 2,300 members of AIA Colorado. The Local Design Awards (AIA Denver, AIA Colorado North, AIA Colorado South and AIA Colorado West) are intended to highlight the outstanding works of members and firms in four geographic sections of Colorado. The Local Design Awards also aim to further demonstrate the diversity of work across our varied state, which encompasses dense urban and remote regions, and ecosystems including rugged mountain terrains, vast plains, desert canyons and mesas. Entries are welcome regardless of project size, budget, style, building type or location and are accepted from both established and new practitioners of large and small firms. New buildings, urban design projects, interiors, renovations, additions and restorations are all eligible. A jury of architects is assembled to judge the entries for each awards program, and Awards of Excellence, Merit and Honorable Mentions are bestowed in a variety of categories, including: • Residential Architecture: One-two family under $1 million • Residential Architecture: One-two family $1 million or more • Multi-Family Housing (to include mixed use) • Commercial/Institutional: Including the design of buildings or structures for commercial use; or for government, medical, recreation, education or religion. • Interior Architecture: Including design of the interior environments of a building or structure done by a licensed architect member. Entries may be large or small in scope, and may involve new construction, renovation, and preservation or restoration projects. Interior projects of any type may be submitted, including offices, institutions, residences, single-family homes, retail projects, restaurants and public facilities. • Planning and Urban Design: Including urban design projects, planning programs, civic improvements, campus plans, regional plans, environmental programs or redevelopment projects done by a licensed architect member. Projects should not be individual buildings. • Unbuilt Architecture/ Non-Commissioned Projects: Including unbuilt architecture and urban designs. The projects may be academic, a competition entry executed in direct response to an organized design competition entry requirement, or theoretical/ research projects submitted in the interest of advancement of the profession. For each category, award submissions should highlight the building’s design by using excellent photography, quality graphics and compelling text descriptions. Incorporating strong supporting content – like diagrams, sketches and client testimonials – will also help to showcase the unique aspects of the project. An award-winning submission is concise, tells the story of the design process and effectively explains how the project accomplished design expectations. Every year, AIA Colorado is honored to present Design Awards to Colorado architecture firms for designing magnificent works of architecture that are truly spectacular to see. An AIA Colorado Design Award exemplifies the highest standards of professionalism, integrity and competency. We invite you to join us in recognizing our 2016 Design Award winners on two separate occasions this year. On Aug. 26, members from the 28-county western region of Colorado will gather in Glenwood Springs for the AIA Colorado West 2016 Design Awards Gala, celebrating award-winning architecture designed by Western Colorado architects. Then Oct. 6, we will host the AIA Colorado and Local Awards Gala in Copper Mountain to celebrate award winning architecture from colleagues throughout the state. If you or your firm has worked with an AIA Colorado member architect and would like to learn more about submission requirements for the Design Awards, or are interested in attending a Design Awards Gala, you can find information online at www.aiacolorado.org/happenings/ design-awards/.