2017 AIASD Design Awards AIA San Diego started the Design Awards program in 1960. We encourage you to submit your quality projects to help us continue to promote the power and scope of architecture, and how we shape the built environment and enrich the human spirit. This year we have 9 categories including Architecture, Interior Architecture, Urban Design, Unbuilt Design, Metro Tijuana Architecture, Young Architect of the Year, Patron of the Year, Legacy Award and Student Design Award. We always want to set the bar high for the projects that receive design awards, but that should not dissuade anyone from submitting. We want to correct some misconceptions about the design awards based on data from the last two years:
Misconception: The percentage of awards is very low and it is difficult to receive acknowledgment. Misconception: My projects cannot compete in some of the award categories.
During the past two years, an average of 17% of the submitted projects have received awards. Projects have consistently received awards in every category. Unbuilt awards have been low because the juries have requested more information on the design process, a stronger emphasis on diagrams, sketches and conceptual framework which are more compelling that just renderings.
| 2015 & 2016 Submissions | Total Projects | Total Awards | Percent Winning |
| Project Categories | |||
| Architecture | 75 | 14 | 19% |
| Interior Architecture | 26 | 3 | 12% |
| Urban Design | 8 | 3 | 38% |
| Unbuilt | 19 | 1 | 5% |
| COTE | 22 | 3 | 14% |
| Divine Details | 37 | 5 | 14% |
| SDG&E Energy | 20 | 6 | 30% |
| Total | 207 | 35 | 17% |
Misconception: Awards are not offered in my project type. Misconception: There is too much competition in my project type.
Projects have been consistently awarded in every major project type except Religious, but we only received two religious submissions. Award winners have included small house renovations and mega corporate office complexes. Unusual projects such as temporary exhibits, donor graphics, gyms, utility plants, historic boardwalks and biomedical facilities have also received awards.
| 2015 & 2016 Submissions | Total Projects | Total Awards | Percent Winning | ||
| Project Types | |||||
| Commercial / Office | 47 | 5 | 11% | ||
| Civic / Government | 31 | 7 | 23% | ||
| K-12 | 19 | 2 | 11% | ||
| Higher Education | 44 | 8 | 18% | ||
| Industrial / Parking | 6 | 1 | 17% | ||
| Medical | 3 | 0 | 0% | (40% if include high ed medical) | |
| Multi-Family, Mixed Use | 18 | 5 | 28% | ||
| Retail / Hospitality | 10 | 1 | 10% | ||
| Single Family | 19 | 3 | 16% | ||
| Urban Design | 8 | 3 | 38% | ||
| Religious | 2 | 0 | 0% | ||
| Total | 207 | 35 | 17% | ||
Misconception: I am a small firm and I cannot compete with the large firms.
Small firms have received more design awards than medium or large firms.
| 2015 & 2016 Firms | Total Projects | Total Awards | Percent Winning |
| Projects by Firm Size | |||
| Small (1-9) | 63 | 15 | 24% |
| Medium (10-29) | 65 | 6 | 9% |
| Large (30+) | 79 | 14 | 18% |
| Total | 207 | 35 | 17% |
We encourage you to submit for the design awards program. If you have any questions, you can contact any of the committee members listed below:
Design Awards Committee
Steven Shinn, AIA Amanda Behnke, AIA Alahe Aldo, AIA Jamie Bohannan, Assoc. AIA Buu Huynh, Communications Director, 619.232.0109
