SUBMIT YOUR NOMINATION

The submittals are open to architects who have achieved licensure within the past ten years and can be submitted by individuals or firms in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties. Select awards
are also open to Associate or AIAS members. All sample projects, if applicable, must have been completed within the past five years.

The awards are juried by a panel of non-competing, award-winning, Young architects from AIA East Bay who have not served as awards jurors for the participating chapters for at least the past 5 years. Winners will be announced at The South Florida Young Architects Awards Party to be held on Thursday, May 7th at 6:00 pm.

WHO CAN APPLY?

The submittals are open to architecture students, architectural design professionals, and architects licensed less than 10 years, and are open to both AIA/AIAS Members and Non-Members. Entries can be submitted by individuals or by firms who reside/work in Broward or Miami-Dade Counties.

Submittals are accepted until 11:59pm on April 10th, 2026

CATEGORIES

Project Manager of the Year

This award is open only to Young Architects.

This award will be given in recognition of a Project Manager that has worked in Broward or Dade County for at least the past 2 consecutive years that displays excellence in architectural project management. Active and completed projects managed by this individual within the last 2 consecutive years shall be submitted for judging.

Best Portfolio

This award is open to Young Architects, Associates, or AIAS members.

This category recognizes an undergraduate or graduate student who has created the most unique and innovative design portfolio

Studio Project of the Year

This award is open only to Associates or AIAS members.

This award will be given in recognition of a studio project from an undergraduate or graduate institution of architecture within institutions of higher learning in the Broward or Miami-Dade County area by merit of presentation, aesthetics, and design.

Rising Star of the Year - Associate

This award is open only to Associates.

This category recognizes an Associate member who has shown exceptionalism in leadership, ingenuity, initiative, and commitment of a cumulative period of no more than 10 years post- graduation. Nomination may be made by a current supervisor or colleague.

Rising Star of the Year - Young Architect

This award is open only to Young Architects.

This category recognizes a Young Architect member who has shown exceptionalism in leadership, ingenuity, initiative, and commitment of a cumulative period of no more than 10 years post- licensure. Nomination may be made by a current supervisor or colleague.

Entrepreneur of the Year

This award is open only to Young Architects.

This category recognizes a Young Architect who has ventured off on his/her own and established a practice that has been in existence for less than five years.

This award will be based on firm growth, revenue, awards, publications, professional/community involvement and projects:

Best Place to Work

The submission for this category must be submitted by a Young Architect or Associate and the firm must be a member of AIA Fort Lauderdale or AIA Miami.

This award will be given in recognition of a firm that is a member of AIA Fort Lauderdale or AIA Miami that exemplifies the following traits:

Great Place to Work for All- Why do you feel this firm is a great place to work for everyone employed there
Executive Team Effectiveness –What makes the firm’s leadership effective? How do they foster a collaborative work environment and encourage creative expression?
Innovation – Has the firm encouraged your and others’ creativity and how?
People-Focused Programs – What firm program or activity do you like the most and why?
Diversity and Inclusion – Do you feel that the firm practices Diversity and Inclusion, and if so, explain what is done to ensure that employees, regardless of who they are or what they do for the firm, feel equally involved in, valued, and supported in all areas of the workplace, no matter their gender, race, nationality or sexual orientation.

Volunteer of the Year

This award is open to Young Architects or Associates.

This award is given to recognize a Young Architect or Associate who has demonstrated commitment to their profession by serving the AIA or collateral organizations on a committee or in an executive position.

Community Service

This award is open to Young Architects or Associates.

This award is given to recognize an Associate or Young Architect member whose leadership in community activities and service has been a direct benefit to the profession or community outside of AIA/NCARB/NAAB.

The individual’s service must demonstrate, beyond any reasonable doubt, qualities, outcomes in programs or civic influences that have benefited a community or communities in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties.

Mentor of the Year

This award recognizes an architect who has shown an unwavering commitment to mentoring and developing emerging professionals in his or her own firm and elsewhere in Miami-Dade or Broward County. Nomination shall be made by an emerging professional.

Special Recognition: Licensure

This category recognizes emerging professionals who have become licensed architects during the 2024 - 2025 calendar years.

SCHEDULE / DEADLINES:

Friday, April 17th - Submissions due for Awards

Wednesday, April 22nd - Submissions go to the jury

Tuesday, April 28th - Receive winners from the jury

Thursday, May 7th - Winners announced at the Young Architect Awards

Submissions for the Young Architect Awards

Award Submission Deadline is on April 17th