2023 Design Awards

Submissions Deadline Extended!
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.

View past winners on the Design Awards website.

2023 Design Awards Timeline

March 31, 2023 – Harleston Parker Medal nominations close
June 15, 2023 – Submissions open
May-August, 2023 – Awards overview program, Common App and awards office hours and awards resources available
September 15, 2023 – Submission deadlines. All Awards submissions must be uploaded and completed online with payment by 11:59pm
September 29, 2023 – Submission deadline extended! All Awards submissions must be uploaded and completed online with payment by 11:59pm
Early December 2023 – Jury reviews completed
Mid-December 2023 – Jury deliberations and award selection
January 2024 – Award notifications & announcements
Early 2024 – Design Awards Gala (date tbd)

2023 Design Awards

Built Design Excellence

Recognizing measured design excellence through performance metrics in all completed projects.

Requirement: Common App metrics required. At least 3 out of 10 measures must be addressed in narratives portion.

Eligibility: All typologies may be submitted, for with accompanying metrics, narratives, and design that demonstrate advancement in design excellence measures.

Sample Application

Criteria: Project submissions should include a robust approach to sustainability and equity, as well as addressing environmental, social, and economic factors. Projects that contain attributes which successfully reduced the carbon footprint of the architecture, construction, or usage, should make every attempt to highlight those aspects within their entry submission.

Impact Advancements are explored by juries to understand the concepts and considerations that drive the values of good design.

Small Firms

Recognizing measured design excellence through performance narratives in all completed projects. Eligible for firms with 10 or fewer employees.

Requirement: Common App metrics optional. At least 3 out of 10 measures must be addressed in narratives portion.

Eligibility: All typologies may be submitted, for with accompanying metrics, narratives, and design that demonstrate advancement in design excellence measures.

Sample Application

Criteria: Project submissions should include a robust approach to sustainability and equity, as well as addressing environmental, social, and economic factors. Projects that contain attributes which successfully reduced the carbon footprint of the architecture, construction, or usage, should make every attempt to highlight those aspects within their entry submission.

Impact Advancements are explored by juries to understand the concepts and considerations that drive the values of good design.

Unbuilt Planning & Design

Recognizing Design Excellence in the broadest possible range of research, conceptual exploration and innovation in design thinking for initiated and theoretical projects.

Requirement: Common App metrics not required. At least 3 out of 10 measures must be addressed in narratives portion.

Eligibility: Projects may either be initiated (Planning) or not completed with no current intent to build (Conceptual).

Sample Application

Criteria: Project submissions should include a robust approach to sustainability and equity, as well as addressing environmental, social, and economic factors. Projects that contain attributes which successfully reduced the carbon footprint of the architecture, construction, or usage, should make every attempt to highlight those aspects within their entry submission.

Impact Advancements are explored by juries to understand the concepts and considerations that drive the values of good design.

Submission Fees

Questions?

Questions about your eligibility or the submission process? View our FAQ page.

For general questions about submitting or about the Awards Program, please email Wandy Pascoal or call: 617-391-4019

Questions may not be directed to or answered by the jurors.