REGISTRATION & SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS
Registration, payment, and file upload will all be handled through OpenWater, an online awards management software that will help to streamline the submission process. OpenWater will host a gallery of all submissions for review by the jury.

There are two parts, or "rounds", to entering your project in the OpenWater system. The first part is registering and paying for your entry. If you haven't yet created an OpenWater account, you will be prompted to do so when you register your first entry. The second part is the submission round where you will enter detailed information and upload image files and release forms for your project, or supporting materials for your nomination. 

REGISTRATION 
Online registration and submission will open on Wednesday, May 15, 2024; submissions must be received no later than midnight on Friday, July 29, 2024.

To take advantage of discounted early bird rates, register your entry by June 25, 2024.

The registration form will ask for a project/nomination name. You will have an opportunity to provide a project name on the submission form if you want to change it to an anonymized name for the jury.     

After completing the registration form, click on "add to cart" to proceed to the "review and checkout" payment page. If you are paying by check, follow the instructions on the payment page and please note we must receive your payment no later than July 29. You will receive an email from "awards@aiasc.org" confirming that we have received your registration.  

SUBMISSION 
After you've registered and paid for your entry, you can continue to submit nomination or project information and file uploads by clicking on the "Click to Continue" link at the top of the page - or return to your submission at any time before the entry deadline on July 29.  

Please note: you may register an entry after the June 25 early-bird deadline, but the fee will increase (see Dates & Fees tab on the website for more information).  No entries will be accepted after July 29!

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Compile each CHAPTER AWARDS entry with the following:

• Nominee Information.  Provide contact information for the individual or firm you are nominating.
• Letter of Recommendation.  Provide a letter in support of the individual or firm you are nominating.  (If you have other letters you would like to include in the submission, you can upload them in the "Additional Supporting Documents" field on the submission form.)
• Supporting Document. Upload a PDF of any supporting material (images, text, etc.) for your nomination. Files cannot exceed 10MB.
• Headshot of Nominee

Compile all the items listed above and create or log in to your OpenWater account to start a new submission. Select the appropriate Chapter Award category and complete all forms in this section, entering in nominee information and uploading your letter of recommendation and supporting document(s). All line items and upload boxes are required, unless otherwise noted. 

After you have saved and finalized your submission, you will receive an email confirmation that we have received it along with a reminder that if you chose to pay by check we must receive your payment by July 29 for your nomination to be considered by the AIASC Board of Directors for a Chapter Award.

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Compile each DESIGN AWARDS entry with the following:

• Short Project Description. Provide a short description of the project in 100 words or less. This description will serve as the introduction to your project during the first round of jury deliberations.
• Architect’s Statement. Provide a narrative of the project concerning the design program and solution in 800 words or less. This statement will give the jury a more detailed description of your project and may be referred to during the second round of judging.
• Framework for Excellence Narrative (required). In no more than 800 words, provide a description of how your project addresses any of the 10 measures of the Framework. See above in the Summary section for a list of optional prompts for each of the 10 measures. (For professional design awards only.)
• Project Images. A maximum of twelve (12) JPG images that are 16:9 at least 300 dpi. See below for detailed instructions and "tips". Prior to uploading, name each file with the project title and image number (for example, "Project X  - Image 1") 
• Jury Image. One (1) JPG image, 10MB max., that will be used as a reference to your project during jury deliberations. This file should be labeled with the project title and "Jury Image" (for example, "Project X - Jury Image").  
• Public Display Image. One (1) JPG image, 10MB max., that will be used when publicizing Design Awards winners and entrants. This file should be labeled with the project title and "Public Display Image" (for example, "Project X - Public Display Image"). This is the ONLY image that may show your firm name and/or logo.
• Center for Architecture Display Board. One (1) PDF file that will be used to display your project at the Center for Architecture. Use the InDesign template provided to create your Display Board and save it as a PDF image. This file should be labeled with the project title and "Display Board" (for example, "Project X - Display Board"). (You can download the template during the submission process.)
• Photo Release Form. Required for all categories except Unbuilt and Student Design Awards. Each photographer per submission should have their own release. (You can download this form during the submission process.)
• Client Release Form. Required for the Unbuilt project category only. Each project should have their own release. (You can download this form during the submission process.)
• For Student Design Awards, you'll need to provide the name and contact info of the professor or instructor who is sponsoring your entry. 

Detailed Instructions for Project Images: 
It is your responsibility to make sure the architect's name and/or firm name is not revealed on any of the file names, images, plans, or narratives - failure to follow this requirement will automatically disqualify the entry.

When possible, images should include the building in use and the following in any order to best tell the jury your project's story:

• preservation/restoration projects - only (if applicable) may upload an additional two images (not to exceed 14 images total) to provide the jury with sufficient information to differentiate between the original architects’ work and the newly altered, preserved, or restored work
• one image showing each exposed side of the building or environment
• one additional image showing the context of each exposed side of the building (may be omitted if the project's relationship to its context is defined clearly in other prints)
• for a group of buildings, one image of the project is sufficient to illustrate the complete project, including its relationship to its environs
• for projects involving exterior alterations, one image of each altered, exposed side together with one image of the same side before alteration (unless evidence is submitted on the unavailability of the latter)
• at least one interior image for each major functional space
• conceptual diagrams, elevations, floor plans, sections, and site plan (including North arrow)

Please note: images submitted should accurately reflect built conditions. Images that have been digitally or otherwise altered to obscure or misrepresent built project conditions will be disqualified.

Additional Tips

• composite pages are acceptable
• text/notes on images/drawings are allowed
• indicate the scale used on any drawings or plans
• renderings need to be labeled as such, in particular those that may represent unbuilt elements of the project
• use of the maximum page limit is strongly recommended
• use of a horizontal (landscape) format is preferred for presentation purposes; however, the consistent use of either a horizontal or portrait format is encouraged throughout the submission
• keep in mind that the jury presentation file is your chance to convey the project’s intent and execution to the jury. Try not to let graphics distract from the project presentation.

Compile all the items listed above and create or log in to your OpenWater account to start a new submission. Select the appropriate Design Award category and complete all forms in this section, entering in project information and file uploads. All line items and upload boxes are required, unless otherwise noted. 

After you have saved and finalized your submission, you will receive an email confirmation that we have received it along with a reminder that if you chose to pay by check we must receive your payment by July 29 for your entry to be considered by the AIASC Design Awards Jury.

AWARDS & PUBLICITY 
Awards will be announced and presented during the AIASC Annual Meeting & Awards Celebration on October 25, 2024 at The Avenue in Greenville. Certificates for all award-winning projects will be presented at the awards ceremony. Winners of Design Awards will receive three certificates: one for the architect, one for the owner, and one for the contractor. Winners of Student Design Awards will receive one certificate per student listed in the credits. Additional certificates will be available at the expense of the award recipient.

AIASC intends to publish all design award entries. Therefore, it is essential that drawings and photographs not be restricted against publication. It is the entrant’s responsibility to clear all drawings and photographs for release. A form will be provided to you to secure the necessary permission. With your online submission, please include a separate JPG file containing one Public Display Image titled with your entry number. This can be a photograph or a collection of images that best represents the project and will be used publicly - online, electronically and/or in print media. 

Winning projects will be featured in the OpenWater online Gallery and AIASC publications of varying media in late 2024 and throughout 2025.

IMPORTANT REMINDERS:

• All information will be used as entered in the submission form on the website gallery and for publication. Please be thorough and consistent in completing your field entries and double-check for spelling errors.
• No logos or any other information that identifies the architect/firm is to appear anywhere in the Project Information section (Project Information, Short Description, Architect's Statement, and the Framework for Excellence Narrative) or the Uploads Materials for Jury Review section (Project Images and Jury Image) - with the exception of the Public Display Image. 
• Please be sure to confirm the exact wording of firm (including all associated architecture firms), owner, contractor and/or consultant names and titles.
• Use "N/A" or other appropriate text in required fields on the submission form if there is no info or it's not pertinent to your project.

 

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