The world’s largest architectural awards program — Architizer’s A+Awards — has expanded with the launch of the inaugural A+Firm Awards. Now accepting submissions, this newly minted program is designed to honor the most innovative companies in the AEC industry, and is open to firms of every size, geography and specialization (see point #2 below for more details). Get started on your submission today:
If you are the founder or the marketing representative of an architecture practice, engineering firm, lighting designer, rendering studio or architectural photography studio, there is an A+Firm Award dedicated to you. For those considering entering, but unsure of the program’s value to your firm, read through the following points to discover just how much winning firms can benefit from this globally renowned accolade:
1. Get published in Phaidon’s definitive compendium of the world’s best firms.
In partnership with internationally renowned publisher Phaidon, Architizer is thrilled to announce that every winning firm for the 1st Annual A+Firm Awards will have their projects published in an all-new, hardbound, full-color compendium dedicated to the world’s best AEC firms. Set for release in 2021, this major publication will celebrate the work of the talented teams that help bring amazing architecture to life — from concept to construction.
The new Phaidon compendium on the World’s Best Firms will be published in 2021
2. Establish yourself as the industry leader in your region, typology or specialization.
The A+Firm Awards is the only program designed explicitly to reward studios of all sizes, geographies, and specializations. Categories will offer opportunities for firms of all sizes, locations and specializations to gain recognition.
- Overall Firm Awards: “Best of the Year” Categories include awards for all firm sizes, with tiered entry fees to make them accessible for all budgets.
- Geographic Awards: Your firm could secure the coveted title of Best in North America, Best in Central and South America, Best in Asia, Best in Australasia or Best in Africa.
- Typology Awards: For firms that have a proven track record in a particular building type, including residential, commercial, cultural, hospitality, and more.
- Specialization Awards: Honoring the crucial collaborators that bring projects to life, including landscape architects, engineers, interior designers, rendering studios and photographers.
- The A+Firm Awards also includes unique categories for portfolios that emphasize sustainability, public works, small projects, and collaboration.
To discover which categories are the best fit for your firm, check out the full list of category descriptions.
3. Attract new clients with a permanent badge of quality.
The A+Firm Awards is a natural extension of the A+Awards, the world’s largest awards program for architecture and building products. Over eight years, the A+ brand has become a trusted benchmark for architecture, and the iconic winners’ badge that adorns many a winner’s website is an established “stamp of quality” that clients instantly recognize. The A+Firm Awards are arguably an even greater endorsement, illuminating the quality of a firm’s entire portfolio to present and future clients alike.
4. Take your place alongside the world’s leading firms.
The A+Firm Awards is your opportunity to join the extraordinary ranks of Architizer’s past Special Honoree A+Award Winners, including BIG – Bjarke Ingels Group (Firm of the Year in 2014), Reiulf Ramstad Architects (2015), Studio Gang (2016), Adjaye Associates (2017), and MVRDV (2018). “It’s an incredible honor, and very humbling,” said Sir David Adjaye on receiving his firm’s award. “To be recognized for work that you deeply believe in is incredibly rewarding.” Become the next “Firm of the Year” in one of multiple categories to follow in Adjaye’s footsteps.
5. Become a go-to collaborator for other top firms.
Winning an A+Firm Award will elevate your company to another level within the industry, making you a highly desirable business partner for other firms undertaking large, complex projects across the globe. If you run an architectural visualization firm, earning the title of “Best Rendering Studio” will immediately send you to the top of the list for architects looking to collaborate. The same goes for photography studios, engineering firms, landscape architects and real estate developers. Become the go-to collaborator within your creative niche.
6. Gain global recognition … And have your work seen by millions.
Winners will see their work celebrated in the form of a year-round digital exhibition on Architizer, home to a global audience of architects and designers from more than 100 countries around the world. With more than 29,000 registered architecture firms on Architizer’s platform, the A+Firm Awards provides an opportunity for your company to stand out from the rest and establish yourself as a true industry leader.
Winners will see their projects published on Architizer Journal, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter. With a combined audience of more than 7.5 million, the exposure that awaits A+Firm Award recipients is unparalleled. Further to this, we’ve partnered with international newswire v2com to provide Winners with global exposure. v2com distributes architecture industry news to some 6,350 publications and influencers in 96 countries!
7. Grab yourself a stunning new trophy.
Our winners deserve a truly remarkable showpiece to mark their achievement. That’s why we’ve collaborated with R.S. Owens — designer of the iconic Oscars statuette — to produce a fresh interpretation of the iconic A+Awards trophy, crafted from stunning, shimmering glass. This bespoke, custom-engraved trophy will be a perfect reflection of our winners’ outstanding design ethos.
The new A+Firm Awards trophy, crafted from glass by trophy specialists R.S. Owens
8. Earn validation from fellow creative pioneers.
The A+Firm Awards jury has been curated to provide a diverse, nuanced perspective on the world’s best architecture from a wide range of expert viewpoints. Entrants will have their work reviewed innovators and thought leaders from architecture, design, tech, culture, education and media. Our jury hails from prestigious companies and institutions around the world, reinforcing the global nature of the program.
Select Winners will also be invited to participate in industry events and lectures, including speaking at the Aesthetica Future Now Symposium in March 2021.
9. Celebrate your whole team.
Architecture has never been created by a singular, star architect — so why should they take all the plaudits? The concept of the “lone design genius” is outdated and needs to be overhauled. The A+Firm Awards provides an opportunity for your whole team to be given the spotlight. It’s the ultimate award for collaborative creativity in the 21st Century.
10. Finish 2020 off with a bang … and build momentum for 2021!
Winners and Commended Entrants in the inaugural A+Firm Awards will be crowned the “Firms to Watch” in 2021 and beyond. The program promises to put firms on the map and thrust them into the public eye, providing a powerful platform for success as the world collectively strives for rejuvenation after this trying year.
The Final Entry Deadline is December 11th, so get started on your entry now — you can come back and edit it right up to the deadline. Good luck to every participating firm from the whole team at Architizer!