Editor’s Guide: 7 Tips for Creating a Winning A+Awards Submission

When it comes to the A+Awards, the quality of the materials you submit is just as important as the project itself.

Architizer Editors Architizer Editors

The latest edition of “Architizer: The World’s Best Architecture” — a stunning, hardbound book celebrating the most inspiring contemporary architecture from around the globe — is now available. Order your copy today.  

Start A+Awards Submission

Winning an A+Award is about more than merely submitting a beautiful project — it ultimately comes down to how a project is packaged to tell its story. Submissions should contain a comprehensive assemblage of elements that fully represents the project, from detailed photography to thorough descriptions. Both the jury and public voters should be able to understand the essence of a project in an instant.

When it comes to the A+Awards, little details matter. As we swiftly approach the Final Entry Deadline for the 11th Annual A+Awards, Architizer’s editorial team has put forward 7 tips to maximize your chances of success this season.


1. Invest in Professional Photography

You should acquire the services of a photographer or get your hands on some great camera equipment in order to celebrate your project in its best light. We get many submissions with weak images that don’t do justice to the projects they portray, and it’s worth noting that high quality images are required for winning projects to be included in “The World’s Best Architecture” book, the next edition of which will be published this year. Once you have your photographs, ensure that you submit a variety of exterior and interior shots, and consider including close-up details if there is a particularly unique architectural element or space that sets your project apart.


2. Craft a Great Project or Firm Description

Westmount Building by Dubbeldam Architecture + Design, Toronto, Canada | Popular Choice Winner, 10th Annual A+Awards, Architecture +Renovation

This sounds obvious, but a well written, well edited project or firm description is crucial in helping jurors decide. For project categories, architects are encouraged to think beyond purely technical descriptions and include emotive words that illustrate how a building makes the occupant feel, or how its atmosphere changes throughout the day, for example. For firm categories, think about how your firm’s overriding design philosophy translates into the built projects that accompany your submission, creating a compelling story about your practice.


3. Submit in More Than One Category

Ice Cubes by Zone of Utopia + Mathieu Forest Architecte, Xinxiang, China Jury and Popular Choice Winner, 10th Annual A+Awards, Architecture +Glass; Popular Choice Winner, 10th Annual A+Awards, Cultural + Expo Centers

You can increase your chances of being recognized for an award by submitting to more than one category. If your project qualifies, you could submit it within a Typology category, such as residential, commercial or cultural, and also enter it into a Plus category, giving you the possibility of winning up to four A+Awards (a Popular Choice award and a Jurors award in each category).

There is also a brand new set of categories dedicated to sustainable design. If your project is eligible, you may enter it for both a regular Typology category and the corresponding Sustainability category, doubling your chances of success and earning special recognition for your sustainable credentials.


4. Consider Entering a Best Firm Category

AN VILLA by TROP : terrains + open space, Shaoxing, China | Jury Winner, 10th Annual A+Awards, Private Garden | TROP was also named Best Landscape Design Firm in the firm categories at the 10th Annual A+Awards

The Best Firm categories present an expanded way for architecture firms to celebrate the breadth of their achievements by showcasing a portfolio of projects. The Firm categories allowing you to submit built works that were completed up to 10 years ago, together with select unbuilt works (note that at least three of your six project must be built in order for your firm to be eligible for an A+Firm Award). Firm categories honor overall excellence for firms of different sizes and specializations, providing a unique chance for practices to earn recognition for their mission and evolution as well as individual projects.


5. Include a Mixture of Mediums

Don’t be afraid to use a variety of mediums to communicate your project. While high quality photographs are key, it’s also possible to submit videos, drawings, animations, graphics and diagrams. Consider how each asset can help the jurors and the general public better understand a proposal.


6. Highlight the Positive Impact of Your Work

Transformation of an office building into a wood and straw 139 student rooms by NZI Architectes, Paris, France | Jury Winner, 10th Annual A+Awards, Architecture +Affordable Design 

In 2023, it’s not enough to create a beautiful building — architects must consider complex challenges pertaining to climate, health and social impact when designing their projects. To boost your chances, submit projects with features that have a positive impact on the wider world, and make sure to highlight these in your project descriptions. Submissions that clearly express the ways in which their project responds to our rapidly evolving environment have a great chance of success.


7. Look to Past Winners for Inspiration

Harold Alfond Athletics and Recreation Center, Colby College by Hopkins Architects, Waterville, Maine | Jury Winner, 10th Annual A+Awards, Gyms & Recreation Centers

Refer to previous years’ winners for inspiration and best practices for submitting. Winners of last year’s A+Awards not only wowed us with their breathtaking projects, but also the ways in which they packaged their work, ideas, processes, and more. It’s also worth checking out our extensive range of A+Awards-related content for more case studies of past winners, as well as further tips and tricks on perfecting your submission.


Now you have the knowledge, you’re ready to submit your best work for an A+Award to be in the running for international publication, huge online exposure and the iconic A+Awards trophy!

Enter the 11th Annual A+Awards

Top image: The Relic Shelter | Fuzhou Teahouse by Neri & Hu, Fuzhou, China | 10th Annual A+Awards Jury Winner in Architecture +Preservation.

Read more articles by Architizer

7 Carefully Crafted Timber Homes Nestled in the Nordic Landscape

Celebrate the harmony between man-made structure and natural environment with these Norwegian reside ntial designs.

8 Ways Architects Are Championing Health and Wellness Through Design

Concerns about sports, recreation, wellness, well-being and general health are at the forefront of s cience, research, education — and architecture.

+