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2023 BSA Design Awards
The BSA Design Awards program celebrates exemplary innovation in the built environment, investment from committed clients, and the unique power of architecture to design buildings and spaces that transform communities and shape the way we live. The BSA honors projects that embody the values of the AIA Framework for Design Excellence and the BSA’s vision of building a just and sustainable Boston, together.
Architecture is ever evolving. Architects play important roles in leveraging the power of design to create innovative processes and new design ideas that create positive social and environmental impact.
The 2023 BSA’s Design Awards program invites visions of varying scales and resources that challenge practice, lead sustainability progress, and broaden conversations about resilience in design.
You can begin submitting here.
Check out the 2022 Design Awards winning projects and firms, featured here.
The BSA Design Awards program no longer runs on cycles, so you may submit projects of any type for consideration.
We have structured the Design Awards program into THREE categories – to recognize the diversity of our members and to create a system for jury reviews of both metrics and design based on typology. Divisions include:
BUILT DESIGN EXCELLENCE – Recognizing measured design excellence through performance metrics in all completed projects
SMALL FIRMS – Recognizing design excellence through performance narratives in all completed projects. Eligible for firms of 10 or fewer employees.
UNBUILT PLANNING & DESIGN – Recognizing the promise of design excellence in the broadest possible range of research, conceptual exploration and innovation in design thinking for initiated and theoretical projects.
HARLESTON PARKER MEDAL – Recognizing the most beautiful piece of architecture, building, monument or structure within the City of Boston.
HARLESTON PARKER PEOPLE’S CHOICE – by public vote, recognizes the most beautiful piece of architecture, building, monument or structure within the City of Boston, based on medal finalists.
Note: Nominations for the Harleston Parker Medal close in March. Voting for the People’s Choice Award opens in January.
All building typologies are welcome in BUILT DESIGN EXCELLENCE, SMALL FIRMS, or UNBUILT PLANNING & DESIGN categories – However, awards may not be bestowed for every typology.
The SMALL FIRMS category is eligible to firms of 10 or fewer employees.
ACCESSIBILITY and SUSTAINABILITY are human rights that should be embedded in all design work.
JURIES will review narratives, and design based on IMPACT ADVANCEMENTS of social responsibility, technology excellence, and sustainability that connect with our values and values of good design.
The BSA Design Awards emphasize the AIA’s Design Excellence criteria that are highlighted in the COMMON APP to evaluate zero-carbon, equitable, resilient, and healthy built projects.
Innovation can be demonstrated at multiple levels. We encourage emerging ideas and theoretical projects that demonstrate the AIA’s Design Excellence criteria from professionals and students for UNBUILT PLANNING & DESIGN.
Celebrating 100 years in 2023, the Harleston Parker Medal celebrates the most beautiful piece of architecture, building, monument or structure within the City of Boston.
Have additional questions?
Want to learn more about the BSA Design Awards? Find Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) here, or contact the BSA at awards@architects.org or 617.391.4017.
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