Submissions must adhere strictly to the following requirements.

Format

• Submit one PDF image book file.
• Maximum length: 25 vertically oriented 8.5″ x 11″ pages (1 cover + 24 additional pages).
• Layouts may be designed as two-page spreads with images spanning both pages.
• Spreads must be 17″ x 11″.
• Each spread counts as two of the 25 allowed pages.
• To ensure jurors view spreads correctly, submissions must use a vertically oriented 8.5″ x 11″ cover plus 12 spreads (17″ x 11″).

Content

Each submission must include:

• A clear and concise project description.
• An explanation of the original design intent and distinguishing features.
• Information about the project scope, concept, and quality.
• Sufficient images and plans to fully describe the project. 

Cover Page

Page 1 (cover) must include:

• Project name
• Project location
• Black, 48-point text
• White background
• One-inch margins on all sides

Images may be included on the cover page. Remaining pages may use any type size, color, background, or margins.

File Size

• The PDF must not exceed 10 MB.
• Reduce image sizes before placing them in the image book to meet this requirement.

Entrants are responsible for ensuring that the architecture firm’s name does not appear in the PDF image book or the Common App submission. Failure to comply will result in automatic disqualification.

All entrants must complete the Common Application for Design Awards (Common App) for each submission in addition to submitting the PDF awards booklet. For questions about the Common App, entrants may:

• View the recording of the 2023 Honor Awards Open House, which walked attendees through the Common App, or
• Contact Committee on Design staff liaison Chris Hudson.

August 3, 2026: Submission window opens

August 6: Virtual Honor Awards Open House

September 25 at 12:00 noon CST: Submission window closes

October: Jury

Late October: Announcement of award winners

November: Celebration of Honor Award recipients at the AIA Minnesota Annual Conference (most likely on November 9)

The Honor Awards jury is composed of three national-award-winning architects from across the country. Typically, the three jurors represent:

• The Eastern, Central, and Western U.S.
• Award-winning architecture firms of different sizes with different areas of expertise

The members of the 2026 Honor Awards jury will be listed here on August 3, 2026.

Each year, AIA Minnesota invites two recent Honor Award recipients to share their approaches to creating a successful entry in a virtual open house. (View a recording of the 2025 Honor Awards Open House.) The 2026 event is scheduled for August 3, at 4 p.m. Stay tuned for more details, including the registration link.

2025
Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Research Building
Rochester, Minnesota
Firm: HDR
Honor Award for Excellence in Design for Well-Being and Discovery

Energizer Park
St. Louis, Missouri
Firms: HOK + Snow Kreilich Architects
Honor Award for Excellence in Design for Integration, Equitable Communities, and Well-Being

Jackson Hole History Museum
Jackson, Wyoming
Firms: HGA + Prospect Studio
Honor Award for Excellence in Design for Integration, Well-Being, and Discovery

Lakewood Welcome Center
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Firms: Snow Kreilich Architects + Miller Dunwiddie
Honor Award for Excellence in Design for Energy and Well-Being

Metal Lark
Frederic, Wisconsin
Firm: SALA Architects
Honor Award for Excellence in Design for Economy and Well-Being

North Island Retreat
Ely, Minnesota
Firm: VJAA
Honor Award for Excellence in Design for Economy and Well-Being

Pennsylvania State Archives
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Firms: HGA + Vitetta, a DRG Architects Company
Honor Award for Excellence in Design for Equitable Communities and Resources

River Hub at Graco Park
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Firm: Snow Kreilich Architects
Honor Award for Excellence in Design for Integration and Ecosystems

Treetop Trail at the Minnesota Zoo
Apply Valley, Minnesota
Firm: Snow Kreilich Architects
Honor Award for Excellence in Design for Ecosystems, Economy, Resources, and Discovery

Windgate Studio and Design Center
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, Arkansas
Firms: HGA + MAHG Architecture
Honor Award for Excellence in Design for Economy and Change

2024
Autism Discovery Center
St. Cloud, Minnesota
Architect: VJAA
Commendation for Excellence in Design for Well-Being

CITYPARK Stadium (now Energizer Park)
St. Louis, Missouri
Architects: Snow Kreilich Architects and HOK
Commendation for Excellence in Design for Equitable Communities

825 Arts
St. Paul, Minnesota
Architect: VJAA
Honor Award for Excellence in Design for Equitable Communities, Economy, Resources, and Integration

Lakewood Welcome Center
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Architects: Snow Kreilich Architects and Miller Dunwiddie
Commendation for Excellence in Design for Energy

Lindsay Boathouse
Toronto, Ontario
Architects: VJAA and RDHA
Honor Award for Excellence in Design for Well-Being and Discovery

Mills Hall and the Gibbons Center for Arctic Studies
Bowdoin College
New Brunswick, Maine
Architect: HGA
Honor Award for Excellence in Design for Integration, Resources, and Energy

2023
Cottage Grove Ravine Landing
Cottage Grove, Minnesota
Architect: HGA
Commendation for Excellence in Design for Resources

Infill House
Duluth, Minnesota
Architect: Office Hughes Olsen
Commendation for Excellence in Design for Economy

L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library
Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Architect: MSR Design
Honor Award for Excellence in Design for Equitable Communities, Economy, Resources, Integration, Change, and Well-being

LongHouse
Frederic, Wisconsin
Architect: SALA Architects
Commendation for Excellence in Design for Well-being

RIDC Mill 19
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Architect: MSR Design
Honor Award for Excellence in Design for Energy, Economy, Water, Change, Discovery, Integration, Well-being, and Ecosystems

Treetop Trail at the Minnesota Zoo
Apple Valley, Minnesota
Architect: Snow Kreilich Architects
Commendation for Excellence in Design for Integration

Turnblad Mansion Rehabilitation and Carriage House Renovation
American Swedish Institute
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Architect: HGA
Commendation for Excellence in Design for Change

2022
Downtown East Urban Master Plan
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Architect: Ryan A+E
Commendation for Excellence in Design for Economy

Family Tree Clinic
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Architect: Perkins&Will
Commendation for Excellence in Design for Economy

Hennepin County Medical Examiner Facility
Minnetonka, Minnesota
Architect: Leo A Daly
Commendation for Excellence in Design for Well-Being

Marlboro Music Reich Hall
Marlboro, Vermont
Architect: HGA
Honor Award for Excellence in Design for Integration and Well-Being

Missoula Public Library
Missoula, Montana
Architecst: MSR Design with A&E Design
Commendation for Excellence in Design for Equitable Communities

RIDC Mill 19
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Architect: MSR Design
Commendation for Excellence in Design for Change

Sartell High School
Sartell, Minnesota
Architect: Cuningham
Honor Award for Excellence in Design for Economy, Well-Being, and Integration

Water Works Park Pavilion
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Architect: HGA
Honor Award for Excellence in Design for Integration, Water, and Resources

Wild Rice Retreat
Bayfield, Wisconsin
Architect: Salmela Architect
Commendation for Excellence in Design for Well-Being

2021
Arthur J. Altmeyer Federal Building
Woodlawn, Maryland
Firms: HGA and Snow Kreilich Architects
Honor Award for Excellence in Design for Integration, Resources, and Economy

Avivo Village
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Firm: AWH Architects
Commendation for Excellence in Design for Well-Being

Brookview Community Center
Golden Valley, Minnesota
Firm: HGA
Commendation for Excellence in Design for Integration

Chicago Infill House
Chicago, Illinois
Firm: VJAA
Honor Award for Excellence in Design for Integration and Well-Being

City of Minneapolis Public Service Building
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Firms: MSR Design and Henning Larsen
Honor Award for Excellence in Design for Integration, Change, Energy, Equitable Communities, and Well-Being

Jewel Box Cabin
Lutsen, Minnesota
Firm: Imprint Architecture + Design
Commendation for Excellence in Design for Economy

Lilydale Regional Park Pickerel Lake Pavilion
St. Paul, Minnesota
Firm: VJAA
Honor Award for Excellence in Design for Integration, Ecosystems, and Well-Being

Louisville Free Public Library Northeast Regional
Louisville, Kentucky
Firms: MSR Design and JRA Architects
Commendation for Excellence in Design for Equitable Communities

Manitowish Waters Fire Hall
Manitowish Waters, Wisconsin
Firm: HGA
Honor Award for Excellence in Design for Economy and Change

Norman Public Library Central
Norman, Oklahoma
Firm: MSR Design
Commendation for Excellence in Design for Integration

Palace Theatre
St. Paul, Minnesota
Firm: Oertel Architects
Commendation for Excellence in Design for Economy