Design Awards
The Texas Society of Architects Design Awards program recognizes outstanding architectural and urban design projects by architects practicing in Texas to promote public interest in design excellence. The competition focuses statewide attention on the quality of our built environment while highlighting the important role architects play in every community.
2026 Design Awards
DEADLINES
Thursday, March 19, 2026
5:00 PM CT
Winning projects will be announced in April.
DOWNLOADS
“I am consistently impressed with the quality of architecture that is being done in Texas, on all levels.”
Tom Kundig, FAIA
2025 TxA Design Awards Juror
Eligible Project Types
The TxA Design Awards seek to recognize a broad range of project types, addressing a full spectrum of architectural innovations and urban solutions. The scope of projects we encourage encompasses:
New construction
Adaptive reuse
Restoration
Renovation of historically significant buildings
Built urban design projects
Interior Architecture
Entry Guidelines
Entries should demonstrate the following design features:
The positive impact on individuals and communities that use the project;
Effectiveness in accomplishing the goals of clients and users;
Sustainability and energy efficiency; and
Appropriateness of visual character.
Entry fees (non-refundable):
$250 per entry for TxA and NOMA members
$395 per entry for non-members
2026 Design Award Jurors
Storyn
St. Petersburg, FL
Leers Weinzapfel Associates
Boston
KeiranTimberlake
Philadelphia
AIA Framework for Design Excellence
To align with AIA National’s Framework for Design Excellence, each entry is required to complete the Common App questionnaire to describe how the design addresses sustainability, resilience, and inclusiveness. While projects do not need to address all aspects of the Framework for Design Excellence, they should showcase performance data and relevant information in this context.
The Common App is a document (in Excel) created by AIA to capture project performance metrics and simplify the awards submissions process across AIA components.
Common App Resources
Have questions or need additional help? Office hours with Common App expert will be available soon. Details to come!
Download the Common App for Design Excellence document
Video guide of Common App for Design Excellence
Common App Information Sessions
TxA COTE members, who are knowledgeable about the Common App, hosted information sessions about the form. This virtual presentation covers why and how to complete the Common App.
2025 TxA Design Awards Winners
The 2025 TxA Design Award winners were announced on April 17, 2025. From 194 entries, the jury selected 19 outstanding projects. The winning projects were featured in the 2025 Awards issue of Texas Architect and at TxA26Annual Conference & Design Expo on Oct. 30 – Nov. 1 in Dallas.