Registration is now open!
Residential Architecture Awards
Residential design is the purview of a wide array of practices. From young offices developing their own design language to established firms refining a sensibility or investigating new ideas. The AIA|LA Residential Architecture Awards celebrates these firms and projects!
This inclusive awards program invites work at all scales from firms of all sizes. Projects are judged in the category they were submitted in so they can be compared to work of like scale.
NEW CATEGORY (Professionals AND Students)
In response to the devastating wildfires and the growing impact of natural disasters in Los Angeles and beyond, AIA|LA introduces the Resilient Design Award. This category recognizes innovative residential projects—either built or conceptual—that exemplify resilience and adaptability in the face of environmental challenges. Both professionals (fee listed) AND students ($25 fee) are eligible to submit in this NEW category.
Projects in this category should address site-specific geography and climate conditions, showcasing strategies that enhance safety and resistance to fire, earthquakes, flooding, and other natural disasters. Submissions should demonstrate thoughtful integration of materials, technologies, and design approaches that prioritize occupant safety while maintaining architectural excellence.
The Resilient Design Award celebrates the role of architects in creating homes that not only withstand but thrive in the face of adversity, serving as beacons of hope and ingenuity for communities rebuilding and adapting to a changing world.
Note: 5% of the registration fee will be donated to the California Community Foundation’s Wildfire Recovery Fund, supporting those impacted by recent wildfires.
REGISTRATION / PRICING
Early Bird Registration
> January 22 – February 3
$99 – AIA, Assoc. AIA, and Allied Affiliate AIALA Members
$149 – Non-Members
$25 – Students (Resilient Design Award Only)
Regular Registration –
> February 4 – February 13
$139 – AIA, Assoc. AIA, and Allied Affiliate AIALA Members
$189- Non-Members
$25 – Students (Resilient Design Award Only)
Late Registration
> February 14 – February 24
$159 – AIA, Assoc. AIA, and Allied Affiliate AIALA Members
$209 – Non-Members
$25 – Students (Resilient Design Award Only)
KEY DATES
Registration Opens
> January 22, 2025
Registration Closes
> February 24, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Submissions Entry Open
> March 3, 2025
Submissions Due
> March 17, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Jury Day
> April 24, 2025
Awards Ceremony
> TBD
Press Release announcing the winners will be available after the Ceremony
PROJECT CATEGORIES
*New for 2025*
Resilient Design (RD): Projects that address site-specific geography and climate conditions, showcasing strategies that enhance safety and resistance to fire, earthquakes, flooding, and other natural disasters. Submissions should demonstrate thoughtful integration of materials, technologies, and design approaches that prioritize occupant safety while maintaining architectural excellence. Both Students and Professionals are eligible to submit.
Multi-Unit Residential (MUR): Projects intended for habitation by multiple tenants, including (but not limited to) condos, apartment buildings, co-ops, public housing, townhouses, duplexes, and/or small-lot projects, Retirement.
- MUR_S Small: Up to 20 Units
- MUR_M Medium: Up to 50 Units
- MUR_L Large: 50 Units +
Single-Family Residential (SFR): Projects intended for single-family habitation.
- SFR_S Small: Up to 2,500 Sq. Ft.
- SFR_M Medium: Up to 5,000 Sq. Ft.
- SFR_L Large: 5,000 Sq. Ft.+
PROJECT CATEGORIES (CONT'D)
Adaptive Re-Use/Renovation/Historic Preservation (ARHP): Residential projects that are designed in consideration of existing built conditions.
Additions and Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU): Projects that expand or extend an existing residential building. Additional dwelling units can be detached, or attached, to the primary structure. Can also be a repurposed existing space within a primary residence.
Affordable Housing (AH): Projects defined as affordable housing by the US federal government.
Alternative Housing (ALT): Residential structures that are built or designed outside of the mainstream norm.
Sustainable Housing (SH): Residential projects that are addressing climate-responsive, low-emissions, resilient design considerations.
Temporary Shelter (TS): Temporary housing or portable housing or modular housing to transition people from the streets to housing, or serve during environmental disasters.
CALL FOR ENTRIES
Detail of Crestridge Residence (Rancho Palos Verdes, CA) designed by Colega Architects | Photo by Manolo Langis
ELIGIBILITY
AIA|LA Members and Non-Members may submit projects located in the greater Los Angeles area.
Only AIA|LA Members may submit residential work completed anywhere in the world.
You may register and submit any number of built projects for the AIA|LA RAAs.
Architects and associates and non-members may submit their own residence.
An entry will be eligible even though the submitting architect is not the sole author, providing the submitting architect credits all participants who substantially contributed to the design of the project.
Projects by any AIA|LA RAA jury member (or that jury member's firm, regardless of location) are not eligible.
Projects must have been completed no earlier than January 1, 2021.
Only AIA|LA Members may submit residential work completed anywhere in the world.
You may register and submit any number of built projects for the AIA|LA RAAs.
Architects and associates and non-members may submit their own residence.
An entry will be eligible even though the submitting architect is not the sole author, providing the submitting architect credits all participants who substantially contributed to the design of the project.
Projects by any AIA|LA RAA jury member (or that jury member's firm, regardless of location) are not eligible.
Projects must have been completed no earlier than January 1, 2021.
Detail of Pacific Landing (Santa Monica, CA) designed by Patrick TIGHE Architecture | Photo by Pavel Bendov
CONDITIONS OF ENTRY
A non-refundable entry fee must be paid online at time of registration.
No entry fee will be refunded for entries that are disqualified or not completed by the Submission Deadline.
Detailed requirements and the Additional Form will be sent to all entrants via the Submittable platform after registration is over.
We cannot accept late submissions.
No entry fee will be refunded for entries that are disqualified or not completed by the Submission Deadline.
Detailed requirements and the Additional Form will be sent to all entrants via the Submittable platform after registration is over.
We cannot accept late submissions.
