THE AIA NEVADA EXCELLENCE IN DESIGN AWARDS

AIA Nevada believes that design awards programs should be carefully structured so that selection and recognition of recipients serves two distinct purposes; one directed to the profession, and the other to the public.  By focusing attention on a broad range of exemplary activity within the profession the general quality of architectural practice is elevated and a standard of excellence is established against which all architects can measure their own performance.  By informing the public on the breadth and value of architectural practice, the entire profession is held in higher esteem.

The AIA Nevada Excellence in Design Awards program recognizes achievements for a broad range of architectural activity in order to elevate the general quality of architecture practice, establish a standard of excellence against which all architects can measure performance, and inform the public of the breadth and value of architecture practice.

To achieve these goals, the 2009 AIA Nevada Excellence in Design Awards has four divisions:

• Architecture
• Interior Architecture
• Regional and Urban Design
• Collaborative Achievement

Please review each category for the individual program eligibility, submission requirements, judging criteria and deadlines.

Livability and Sustainability Goals
It is recommended that you use the 10 Principles for Livable Communities, created by AIA Communities by Design: design on a human scale, provide choices, encourage mixed-use development, preserve urban centers, vary transportation options, build vibrant public spaces, create a neighborhood identity, protect environmental resources, conserve landscapes, and recognize that design matters. For more details on these principles, visit www.aia.org/communitiesbydesign.

Further, in recognition of the AIA Sustainable Architectural Practice Position Statement and in support of the 2030 Challenge (issued by Edward Mazria, AIA, Architecture 2030), submitted projects should reflect these energy-reduction goals where possible:

• At least 50-percent reduction in fossil-fuel consumption in the construction and operation of new and renovated buildings by 2010
• Further reductions of remaining fossil-fuel consumption by 10 percent or more in each of the following five years
• Carbon neutrality in the construction and operation of all buildings by 2030

Eligibility Criteria
If you submit a project, the following applies for entrants and jurors within each individual program.

• Any project that credits any 2009 jury member or his or her firm as architect, associate architect, consultant or client is ineligible and will be disqualified if submitted.
• Communication with any jury member by the entrants is inappropriate and cause for disqualification. All architects of award-winning projects will be required to verify that neither they nor persons acting on their behalf had written or other communication with any 2009 jury member regarding a submitted project from the time of submittal to completion of the jury process.
   

2009 AIA Nevada Excellence In Design Jury Members
Craig Hodgetts, FAIA - Hodgetts + FungCulver City, CA
Anne Schopf, FAIA - Mahlum Architects, Seattle, WA
Marlene Imirzian, FAIA Imirzian & Associates Architects, Phoenix, AZ

At the jurors’ discretion, recognitions will be given for Honor, Merit and Citation levels in each of the categories.