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2021 AIA Illinois Honor Awards

A Celebration of Better Illinois Communities by Design

The AIA Illinois Honor Awards recognize people and projects epitomizing the contributions of the architecture profession, the transformative power of design, and the dedication of individuals to service and excellence. All award winners have positively impacted citizens throughout the state of Illinois by helping create communities in which people are drawn to live and work, and to live healthier and happier. 

2021 AWARD CATEGORIES
THE PRESIDENT'S AWARD - Arquitectos, Chicago Women in Architecture, and I-NOMA

Submissions not accepted. The AIA Illinois President’s choice of a group, institution, or organization who lifts up architecture and the profession. Design firms are not awarded.

DESIGN AWARDS
THE CAPITOL AWARD - Tierra Linda

Submissions not accepted. The highest state honor given for a transformational project - one designed for the human experience that works towards cultural transformation - and will be selected from all submissions, chosen directly by the jury. You need not submit for this individual category.

FOR EXCELLENCE IN MASTER PLANNING - Twin Embraces: An Integrated and Community-Focused
Approach for the Obama Presidential Center

For master planning or implementation of a master plan

FOR GREATEST IMPACT - CTA Garfield Gateway Station

For new design or renovation of an individual building
- Award for Project Construction Value $5M and above

FOR GREATEST IMPACT - Whitney M. Young, Jr. Branch Library

For new design or renovation of an individual building

- Award for Project Construction Value Below $5M

FOR EXCELLENCE IN HISTORIC PRESERVATION - Cook County Hospital

For historic preservation, restoration or adaptive reuse of a building.
- Award for Project Construction Value $5M and above

FOR EXCELLENCE IN HISTORIC PRESERVATION - Fire Restoration of 1890's Orland P. Bassett House

For historic preservation, restoration or adaptive reuse of a building.

- Award for Project Construction Value Below $5M

FOR EXCELLENCE IN INTERIORS - The Night Ministry

For innovation in architecture and unique design ideas
- Award for Project 5,000 SF and over

FOR EXCELLENCE IN INTERIORS - Ardmore House

For innovation in architecture and unique design ideas

- Award for Project under 5,000 SF

FOR DESIGN EXCELLENCE IN HIGH-PERFORMANCE BUILDINGS -  Rolling Knolls
The Design Excellence in High-Performance Buildings Award is co-sponsored by Illinois Green Alliance

For recognition for buildings that exceed code-minimum energy performance and do not burn fossil fuels, in the following categories: All-Electric Buildings, PHIUS Certified Buildings, and Net Zero Energy Buildings.

-Award for Project 5,000 SF and over

A separate jury will review submissions in this category.

FOR DESIGN EXCELLENCE IN HIGH-PERFORMANCE BUILDINGS -  Carroll Center Renovation Addition
The Design Excellence in High-Performance Buildings Award is co-sponsored by Illinois Green Alliance

For recognition for buildings that exceed code-minimum energy performance and do not burn fossil fuels, in the following categories: All-Electric Buildings, PHIUS Certified Buildings, and Net Zero Energy Buildings.

-Award for Project under 5,000 SF

A separate jury will review submissions in this category.

MEMBER SERVICE AWARDS
GOLD MEDAL AWARD - Robert I. Selby, FAIA

The highest honor for outstanding lifetime service by an AIA member

CHARLES W. NOTHNAGEL AWARD - Karen Shoup, AIA

For Illinois architects involved in public service

RICHARD NICKEL AWARD - Krisann Rehbein

For (non-architect) citizens who lift up architecture and the profession

R. BUCKMINSTER FULLER AWARD - Shabbir Y. Chandabhai, Assoc. AIA

For Illinois architects involved in humanitarian, social impact or community endeavors

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