Specialization Awards

Great buildings are only made possible by great teams. The Specialization Awards seek to recognize the unique expertise of everyone involved in the design process, from concept to completion. This includes rendering studios, architectural photographers, engineers and real estate developers. The Specialization Awards also includes categories for firms that have unique bodies of work that are conceptually connected, for example: humanitarian, small projects, collaborations, and projects in the public realm.

Firm Type

Rendering Studio – For rendering studios and/or architecture firms demonstrating excellence in rendering and architectural visualization. Firms should submit 3 to 6 rendering projects. Projects can include commissions for clients or personal works. Each project can comprise one or multiple visualizations.

Photography Studio – For photography studios and/or architecture firms demonstrating excellence in architectural photography. Firms should submit 3 to 6 photography projects. Projects can include commissions for clients or personal works. Each project can comprise one or multiple photographs.

Engineering Firm – For engineering firms and/or architecture firms demonstrating excellence in structural engineering. Firms should submit 3 to 6 projects in which they played a key engineering role. Projects can be from any typology, at any scale, and from any region.

Lighting Designer – For lighting designers demonstrating excellence in their field. Firms should submit 3 to 6 projects in which they played a key role as the lighting designer. Projects can be from any typology, at any scale, and from any region.

Body of Work

Sustainability – For architecture and/or design firms practicing excellence in the field of sustainability, energy efficiency and environmental design. Firms should submit 3 to 6 projects that excel in sustainability, with at least 3 completed within the last 10 years. Eligible firms for the Sustainable Award can also submit for a Best of the Year Firm Award with some or all of the same projects.

Public Projects – For architecture and/or design firms demonstrating excellence in the public realm. Firms should submit 3 to 6 public projects, with at least 3 completed within the last 10 years. Public projects may include but are not limited to:

• Cultural Projects (Museums, Gallery and Exhibition Spaces, Halls and Theaters, Pavilions, Religious Buildings and Memorials, Unbuilt Cultural Projects, etc.)
• Transport/Infrastructure (Airports, Train Stations, Bus Stations, Bridges, etc.)
• Sports and Recreation (Stadiums, Sports Halls, Gyms, Public Parks, Play Areas etc.)
• Hospitality Projects (Hotels & Resorts, Restaurants, Bars & Nightclubs, Health Care & Wellness, Unbuilt Hospitality Projects)
• Urban Planning Projects
• Landscape Architecture Projects

Eligible firms for the Public Projects Award can also submit for a Best of the Year Firm Award with some or all of the same projects.

Small Projects – For architecture and/or design firms demonstrating excellence in small scale projects. Firms should submit 3 to 6 projects, of which at least 3 have been completed (built) in the last 10 years. Small scale projects must be under 1,500 square feet, and can be from any of the typologies, at any scale, and from any region. Eligible firms for the Small Projects Award can also submit for a Best of the Year Firm Award with some or all of the same projects.

Collaboration – For architecture and/or design firms practicing excellence in collaborative projects. Firms should submit 3 to 6 projects in which they collaborated with another firm, with at least 3 completed within the last 10 years. Collaborators can include but are not limited to architecture firms, landscape architecture firms, interior design firms, furniture designers, building product manufacturers and industrial designers. Eligible firms for the Collaboration Award can also submit for a Best of the Year Firm Award with some or all of the same projects. Collaborators’ credits must be provided as appropriate.