The 2026 Call for Entries is Closed.

The annual AIA Wisconsin Design Awards competition recognizes architects, building owners, and contractors for excellence in architectural design and construction and represents the highest recognition given for excellence in architectural design by the state's professional society of architects.

Design Awards Categories

Honor Awards: Highest acknowledgment of design excellence. 

Merit Awards: Recognition of overall design excellence.

Special Recognition Awards: Projects may choose to also be considered for an award in the following categories. Submitting for these categories does not preclude the project from winning an Honor or Merit Award. Jurors may choose to recognize exceptional projects in the areas of:

• Adaptive Reuse: Recognizes projects that creatively repurpose existing buildings to meet contemporary needs while preserving architectural, cultural, and/or environmental value. Submissions should demonstrate how the design approach enhances functionality, sustainability, and community impact while respecting the original structure’s character. 
• Community Impact: Recognizes projects that aim to eliminate physical and perceived barriers, empowering individuals to come together, connect, and achieve their fullest potential. Key considerations include design excellence, sustainability & resilience, social & economic impact, and JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) principles.
• Historic Preservation: Recognizes projects that protect, restore, and rehabilitate buildings, structures or sites for their continued reuse and viability. Awards in this category demonstrate protection, community & economic impact, and technical execution.
• Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI): Recognizes projects that creatively promote the universal principles of Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion through design.
• Residential Design (CRAN Award): Recognizes design excellence in new and renovated single-family residential projects. Key considerations include contextual sensitivity, craftsmanship, spatial organization, design integration, and more.
• Sustainable Design: Recognizes projects that exemplify the integration of design and performance through elevated narratives and metrics provided via the AIA Framework for Design Excellence and the Common App.
  

NEW for 2026!
25 Year Award: The 25 Year Award honors one exemplary architectural project that stands the test of time and continues to set standards of excellence for its architectural design and significance, both in its original form and by today’s standards.