Since 1956, the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) has functioned as an intercollegiate network and representational voice for architecture students. The AIAS is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to linking its student constituents to the diverse academic, social, and creative opportunities that are critical in their development as design professionals.
At the heart of all AIAS activities is a cooperative effort designed to transform today’s students into the architect and design professionals of tomorrow. This includes not only an active and involved student membership but also a close and mutually supportive role for faculty, professionals, the design community, and the corporate community who contribute to the advancement of the art and science of architecture.
Each year the AIAS honors individuals and groups for their exemplary work in areas such as leadership, collaboration, scholarship, and service. The AIAS Honor Awards were developed to publicly recognize outstanding achievements by students, educators, and practitioners who have exhibited an exemplary commitment to the education and development of architecture students.
Know someone who should apply for an honor award? Nominate them today!
Schedule
May 2022 – Application via Google Forms will open September 30, 2022 – ALL materials must be submitted via Google Form September 2022 – Jury chosen October 2022 – Awards Jury deliberation facilitated by the Past Vice President Winter 2022 – AIAS Honor Awards Ceremony
Instructions
Hit Apply
Fill out basic contact information
Select the 2022 Honor Award you are submitting for, (you can submit more than once if necessary for different awards)
Upload your PDF of all materials- max 10MB. Please ensure you are including ALL requirements for each award you are submitting to, which can be found in the 2021-2022 AIAS Honor Awards submission guidelines and below.
Hit submit
NOTE: If anyone writing a Letter of Support does not wish to share their letter with the submitting applicant to include in the PDF, they can email a PDF to pastvp@aias.org
NOTE: If you are having any issues or have questions please email pastvp@aias.org and vicepresident@aias.org
Awards
Chapter Honor Award
Submissions for the Chapter Honor Award are Judged on the following criteria:
Chapter in Good Standing in 2021-2022
Outstanding accomplishments in the conception, development and delivery of creative programs for its membership, students at large, school faculty, school administration, practicing professions and the public
Exemplary involvement with campus, community and professional organizations, as well as local businesses, the design and construction industries and others
Active, consistent and involved membership throughout the year
Effective chapter executive committee, providing consistent leadership and chapter representation on issues affecting architecture at the campus, community and national AIAS levels
All supporting documents (letters of support exempted) have high graphic quality
Each submission should contain the following requirements in one pdf:
Letters of Support from:
The AIAS Chapter President
Dean, Department Chair, or equivalent
The AIAS Chapter Faculty Advisor
Local AIA Component representative (optional)
Supporting Materials:
Chapter Executive Board names and titles with descriptions of duties and responsibilities.
PDF of example of board meeting agenda/minutes, copy of chapter budget, and calendar of chapter programs.
Any support materials depicting a positive effect on studio culture through professional development, events, programs, and initiatives, i.e. Examples of chapter graphics and posters for events; photos and videos.
Submissions for the Chapter Leader Honor Award are judged on the following criteria:
Member of an overall stable chapter (financially, culturally, etc.) in Good Standing in 2021-2022
Motivated, energetic, and involved membership
Creates an environment that encourages involvement of a motivated and energetic chapter exec board that exhibits cooperative skills and a desire and ability to present successful programs
Prominence within the architecture program with appropriate faculty and administration
Exemplary involvement with campus community and professional organizations as well as local businesses, the design and construction industry, or others
All supporting documents (letters of support exempted) have high graphic quality
Each submission should contain the following requirements in one pdf:
Letters of Support from:
The Applicant (Written as a Cover Letter)
Fellow Chapter Member
Dean, Department Chair, or equivalent
AIAS Chapter Faculty Advisor
Local AIA Component representative (optional)
Supporting Materials:
Curriculum vitae or resume of nominee
Example of AIAS work completed by nominee.
Any support materials that help exemplify the unique and special accomplishments of this candidate in facilitating an exemplary chapter culture, i.e. photographic evidence or videography
Submissions for the AIAS Outstanding Freedom by Design Program honor Award is judged on the following criteria:
FBD program demonstrates the mission of the AIAS and embodies the spirit of Freedom by Design
Scale and frequency of project completion year to year
Consistency in project design and execution
Community engagement and internal collaboration
Successful fundraising and/or successful management of funds
Impact and outcomes of design advocacy
All supporting documents (letters of support exempted) have high graphic quality
NOTE: This is for the Freedom by Design Program as a whole for a Chapter- NOT an individual project
Each submission should contain the following requirements in one pdf:
Letters of Support from:
The FBD Director or Chapter President (Written as a Cover Letter)
Student participant in the FBD Program
Freedom by Design Program Design Mentor, Construction Mentor, Community leader or impacted client, or faculty advisor (two max)
Supporting Materials:
Freedom by Design Program leader names with titles and list of responsibilities
PDF of Freedom by Design program budget (can be a compilation of project budgets), information about fundraising efforts to execute projects, etc. (Project Binder(s) can be submitted).
Any support materials of final and ongoing projects, evidence of success, i.e. photographic evidence, videography, etc.
Submissions for the AIAS Outstanding Freedom by Design PROJECT Honor Award are judged on the following criteria:
Project completion (project must be complete at the time of submission)
Demonstrative of ability to apply design principals in real world applications
Client engagement and internal collaboration
Community engagement
Ability to teach/learn from process
Successful fundraising and/or successful management of project funds
Economic use of materials if applicable
Impact and outcomes of design advocacy
All supporting documents (letters of support exempted) have high graphic quality
Each submission should contain the following requirements in one pdf:
Letters of Support from:
The FBD Director or Chapter President (Written as a Cover Letter)
Student participant in the FBD project
Freedom by Design Program Design Mentor, Construction Mentor, Community leader or impacted client, or faculty advisor (two max)
Supporting Materials:
Freedom by Design Project Binder that contains all of the following: project budget, information about fundraising efforts to execute project, presentation highlighting thorough process and product of the project, sketches, charrette pictures, and final project.
Any other supporting materials of final project, evidence of success, i.e. photography, videography, etc.
Submissions for the AIAS Student Research Honor Award are judged on exemplification of outstanding contributions in areas such as
(but are not limited to):
Design research
Written dissertation
Applied research or initiative
All supporting documents (letters of support exempted) have high graphic quality
Each submission should contain the following requirements:
Letters of Support from:
The Applicant (Written as a Cover Letter)
The AIAS Chapter Faculty Advisor or thesis advisor / mentor
At most two additional letters of support from individuals familiar with work and accomplishments of nominee (optional)
Supporting Materials
Project brief / abstract describing intent and origin of research.
Any support materials or information needed for the nominee to cohesively convey the products or outcomes of research or applied research.
Submissions for the Educator Honor Award are judged on the following criteria:
Outstanding contributions to the education, career counseling, or mentorship of architecture students at any post-secondary institution
Inspires an understanding of the importance of practicing architecture for the public interest
Facilitates and provides space for larger conversations about society, architectural education, issues facing students, or other topics
Champions a healthy Learning and Teaching Culture at the institution
An underlying alignment to the AIAS mission: to advance leadership, design, and service among architecture students
NOTE: This award should be able to be filled out be a nominating student with assistance by the educator they are nominating
Each submission should contain the following requirements:
Letters of Support from:
The Educator (Written as a Cover Letter)
Current or past student
AIAS Chapter Member
Dean, Department Chair, or equivalent
Additional letter from student if desired (optional)
Supporting Materials:
Curriculum vitae or resume of educator nominee
Sample of a course taught, program administered, mentorship, and/or counseling by the educator nominee with a brief summary, and any supporting material that displays the impact of the Educator (teaching evaluations, syllabi, student work, image of engagement, testimonials)*
Submissions for the AIAS Alumni Emerging Professional Honor Award are judged on exemplification of outstanding performance in areas such as (but are not limited to):
Mentorship (Heavily favored)
Professional practice advancement
Advocacy for the future of the profession
Excellence in design practice
Continued involvement within the AIAS or allied organizations
Special accomplishments, local or national awards
All supporting documents (letters of support exempted) have high graphic quality
Each submission should contain the following requirements:
Letters of Support from:
The Applicant (Written as a Cover Letter)
At least two letters of support from individuals familiar with work and accomplishments of nominee (student, colleague, faculty, employer, etc)
Supporting Materials:
Curriculum vitae or resume of nominee
Supporting materials needed to convey impact of nominee as an alumni related to the above judging criteria
AIAS Outstanding AIA Component Collaboration Award
Submissions for the AIAS OUTSTANDING AIA COMPONENT Collaboration Honor Award are judged on the following criteria:
Engagement with local AIAS chapter on a specific project, program, or event
Outstanding contributions to professional development and counseling of architecture students typical of strong mentorship practice
Engagement with local AIAS chapter and student leaders throughout the year
An underlying alignment of the AIAS mission: to advance leadership, design, and service among architecture students
Each submission should contain the following requirements:
Letters of Support from:
The individual submitting nomination (must be an AIAS member working directly with the AIA component nominated)
AIA Component President, Executive, or Member
AIAS General Member impacted by the project, program, or event
Supporting Materials:
Robust summary of AIA project, program, or event in collaboration with the AIAS
Any support materials needed to convey achievements of the nominee as they pertain to the evaluation criteria, i.e. photographic evidence, videography, etc.
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