Overview
AIA Brooklyn’s annual Brooklyn Design Awards program (BKDA) encourages excellence in architectural design through recognition of outstanding projects in Brooklyn and beyond. An invited jury of respected design professionals reviews submissions and selects compelling entries to be commended for design excellence, technical skill, innovation, environmental responsiveness, and social impact.
Continuing our initiatives formed for our 2022 program, the BKDA program will continue to integrate the AIA’s Framework for Design Excellence, not only as performance criteria during the jury review, but also as an educational source for our members. Similar to last year, we will require responses in the Performance Statement for all submissions.
Beyond this, the BKDA program seeks to highlight the borough of Brooklyn, with its design community serving as a creative hub for innovation, and its diverse neighborhoods as a dynamic network and unique urban fabric. Although projects will continue to be organized for review based on submission categories, multiple entries within a particular typology may be eligible for an award. Entries will be judged in light of the success with which the project has met its individual requirements, and each will be evaluated individually, not in competition with others. The goal is to highlight outstanding projects by Brooklyn firms and exceptional design work within the borough, whatever form it may take.
It is a priority for the AIA Brooklyn chapter to promote the work of its members, and winning entries will be publicized both within and beyond the local community. Additionally, the Awards committee is currently exploring opportunities to provide representation for all entries on the chapter’s website.
Schedule
Call for Entries (Registration Opens): August 28, 2024
Submissions Due: UPDATE! Deadline extended to October 7
Jury Meeting: Week of October 21st-25th
Winners Announced: Week of October 28th – November 1st
Awards Presentation: December 2024 – Location: 501 Union
Submission Fees
Submission Fees are non-refundable. Participants can submit multiple projects, but the fees listed cover only one project submission. An entry fee is required for each project submitted for the Awards program.
$200 AIA Brooklyn Chapter Members
$100 Associate AIA
$500 Other registered Architects
$30 Students
Submission Overview, Procedure, AIA Common App.
All submissions digital through Awards Force (https://aiabrooklyn.awardsplatform.com/)
Continuing the initiatives formed in 2022 we’ll be incorporating the AIA Framework For Excellence into the Awards Force platform. They will be in a section called “Performance Statement.” Filling out information in this section is required.
Eligibility Requirements
Projects can’t be older than 5 years (from date of completion)
AIA Brooklyn Members, Associate members, Brooklyn based firms, non-architects, students can submit projects sited anywhere.
Non-Brooklyn firms, students etc. can only submit projects located in Brooklyn
Students anywhere can submit projects/studies located in Brooklyn
Technical Review
After the submission deadline ends and before judging a team of reviewers (separate from jury) will conduct a technical review of all projects submitting responses in the Performance Statement Section.
Projects will be reviewed independently by two reviewers. Scores will be averaged
1 – No consideration – or minimal but inaccurate consideration
2 – Basic level of consideration – minimally compliant design by New York standards
3 – Elevated level of consideration – explicitly incorporates performance / sustainability standards
4 – Strong, holistic consideration – incorporates sustainability in multiple areas
5 – Aspirational consideration – ambitious performance targets using a whole building approach
Jury to receive scores and brief comments from the technical reviewers. The goal is to assist jurors review this aspect of projects. No ‘score’ threshold required for an award in this area. Jurors have the final decision on which projects to reward.
Judging Criteria
Entries will be evaluated individually, not in competition with others.
All submission material viewed by the jurors will be anonymous.
Awards may be given in as many or as few projects as are deemed worthy to receive recognition as the Jury believes are justified by the quality of the submissions.
Questions about sustainability are part of the Performance Statement section. These considerations will be part of the jury’s deliberations, and considered as contributing factors even for an Excellence or Merit Award. Entrants are strongly encouraged to incorporate sustainability measures into their projects – and describe those strategies in their submissions.
Award Types
-Award of Excellence: Project demonstrates the highest level of design and performance,
-Award of Merit: Project demonstrates exceptional design and performance
-Award of Commendation: Demonstrates exemplary achievement in a specific aspect of a project. and/or for exemplary achievement in specific aspects of the Framework for Design Excellence.
-Commendation for Climate Action: Demonstrates exceptional performance & sustainability measures. (Built projects only.)
-Best in Competition: Jurors will select one entry among the Excellence Award winners
Projects may also receive a Commendation for Climate Action without winning an Excellence or Merit award.
Announcement of Winners
Award recipients are notified following the judging, but the level of award remains confidential until the evening of the awards program.
Awards Ceremony
Awards will be announced and presented to Architects of winning projects at the annual Awards Celebration in early December. Location – 501 Union in Brooklyn. Framed award certificates will be provided. Winners of the 2023 BKDA can be seen here.