The AIA Milwaukee Emerging Professionals Design Competition is an opportunity for architecture students, emerging professionals, and recently licensed architects (10 years or less) to bring imaginative, forward-thinking solutions to real-world urban design challenges facing the City of Milwaukee. 

This single-stage ideas competition invites participants to use their creativity, design thinking, and problem-solving skills to propose bold, thoughtful interventions that respond to pressing civic needs. In doing so, competitors will design a submission using a real client’s program, confront authentic site and programmatic constraints, and develop their voice as designers and changemakers. Let your ideas shape the city—submit your vision for Milwaukee's future.

THE SITES

This year’s competition is focused on Single-Family Residential design, where the competitors have the option to choose 1 of 3 sites, each with their own unique program elements to set them apart. Competitors will need to follow the program list from their ‘future client’ as closely as possible, while following the set guidelines of the competition.

EXPAND YOUR NETWORK 

In addition to being a great exercise for your design skills, this competition is also a chance to build your career. Winning entries will be celebrated at the 2025 AIA Wisconsin Design Awards Gala—a premier event that draws leading architects, firm principals, and creative talent from across the state. It’s the perfect platform for emerging designers to gain visibility, expand their network, and connect with potential mentors or employers. It’s also a great achievement to include on a resume!

ELIGIBILITY

• Open to students, emerging professionals, and architects licensed 10 years or fewer 
• At least one team member must be an AIA Wisconsin (AIA, Assoc. AIA, or AIA WI Student) or AIAS member (Click here for more information on how to become a member.)
• Jury members and competition organizers are not eligible to participate