Heather Wilson
AIA Oregon EVP/CEO
Be Recognized, Be Inspired: Elevate Your Practice at the 2024 Oregon Architecture Awards
The annual Oregon Architecture Awards, presented by AIA Oregon, is back to celebrate the best and brightest in Oregon's architectural landscape. This prestigious program offers a unique platform to elevate your practice, showcase your design excellence, and be recognized by a distinguished national jury.
Why Participate?
Carve Your Niche: Earning an Oregon Architecture Award is a powerful differentiator. It signifies design excellence to potential clients, industry partners, and the broader community. Imagine the impact on your firm's reputation when your work is lauded alongside Oregon's finest architectural achievements!
Sharpen Your Skills: The awards process itself is a valuable exercise. As you meticulously prepare your submission, you’ll learn about the Framework for Design Excellence (link AIA Framework for Design Excellence) and learn to tell your projects’ story through a peer-reviewed filter. This will allow you to gain fresh perspectives on your project, identify areas for improvement, and benchmark your work against industry standards. This self-evaluation fosters continuous learning and growth within your firm while also preparing you for the rigor of entry in the nationwide AIA Awards program. (link AIA Awards & Honors)
Expand Your Reach: Participation in the program, regardless of award status, increases your firm's visibility. It demonstrates your commitment to design excellence and attracts new clients seeking top-tier architectural expertise. Social media promotion of your submission further amplifies your reach and positions you as a thought leader within the industry.
Celebrate the Power of Design: The Oregon Architecture Awards program is more than just a competition; it's a celebration of good design. Be a part of this vibrant community event that fosters innovation, creativity, and a shared passion for shaping Oregon's built environment.
Showcase Your Work:
This year's program welcomes submissions from all AIA Oregon member firms and individual members. The jury seeks projects that exemplify excellence across a broad spectrum, including:
Design Innovation: Does your project push the boundaries of architectural design? Highlight its unique features and how it creatively addresses the client's needs and the surrounding environment.
Sustainable Practices: Demonstrate your firm's commitment to a greener future by showcasing how your project incorporates sustainable practices and contributes to positive environmental impact.
Community Impact: Show how your work goes beyond aesthetics to enhance the lives of users and the surrounding community. Highlight the positive social and economic impact your design has created.
Beyond Design Awards:
The 2024 program also recognizes outstanding individuals within the profession through the AIA Oregon Professional Achievement Awards. Do you have a team member who is a rising star or a seasoned leader making a significant contribution to the field? Encourage your firm to nominate them for this prestigious recognition.
Join the Celebration:
The program culminates in a spectacular awards ceremony, a not-to-be-missed event for architects, designers, and industry leaders at the Portland Art Museum, November 14. It's a fantastic opportunity to network with colleagues, celebrate design excellence, and be inspired by the best work in Oregon architecture. There will be access to the newly renovated portions of the art gallery, music, food, and the jury will be on stage for commentary and to congratulate the winners.
Don't miss this opportunity! Visit the AIA Oregon website today for detailed information, submission guidelines, and deadlines. Take the next step to showcase your talent, gain recognition, and contribute to the rich architectural legacy of Oregon.
Spread the Word! Encourage fellow AIA Oregon members to participate and be a part of this inspiring celebration of design excellence.
Stil have questions? Make sure to join me as I discuss these points in detail and answer your questions about design awards August 1 at our AIA Oregon Thursday Roundtable Presentation on the AIA Oregon Architecture Awards Call for Entries. Register for the Roundtable Here
Looking forward to this year’s entries,
Heather Wilson