2025 Categories

Entries are now open for the Architect of the Year Awards 2025!
To register your account for entries and to view the full criteria/questions to be answered, please click 'enter now' on the category you wish to add to your basket using the check box, and either login or sign up. You can add or remove more categories once you have registered and enter as many that fit your criteria as you wish.
Good luck!

AYA2025-entry-information.pdf




This award rewards architectural practices that promote a high-quality work environment for their employees. The judges will be looking for evidence that employers are providing opportunities for career advancement including training and development initiatives. Employers should also have policies that promote wellbeing and a healthy work life balance including flexible working, a quality work environment, maternity and paternity leave and efforts to tackle a long hours culture. Good employers will promote equal pay and have policies that have initiatives that ensure women are not disadvantaged in the workplace. Previous entrants to this category should focus on new initiatives and changes since the last entry to this award.
£ 99.00 +VAT (20%)
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Your entry should be displayed across one A1 PDF board including as many pictures as you see fit. Please include 1000 words as to why you should win this award, considering the below:

  • Training initiatives – this can include any training or development initiative
  • Wellbeing – this can include mental health initiatives; physical health initiatives; staff wellbeing support and evidence of a healthy working environment.
  • Work life balance – this can include maternity and paternity leave; flexible working policies and efforts to tackle long-hours culture.
  • Equality – this can include measures to promote diversity, equal pay and initiatives to ensure women are not disadvantaged at work.

     Your entry should be tailored to why you deserve/what you are doing to win the award this year, looking at initiatives that have spanned across December 2023 – December 2024. 

    You are asked to produce and upload a presentation board that completes your entry. Please add the category to your basket using the check box, and click 'enter now'. You will then be asked to either login or register your account to view the full criteria and questions to be answered for your entry. You can add or remove more categories once you have registered and enter as many categories that fit your criteria as you wish.

This award is open to architects working on the conservation and sensitive adaption of buildings of historic interest. The judges will be looking for evidence of all round design excellence and sensitive adaption of buildings of historic interest for the modern age whilst retaining their essential character over a body of work. The judges will also be looking at ability to delight building users, sustainability and the promotion of wellbeing and fitness for purpose. The size of the projects featured will not be a factor in their deliberations.

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Your entry should include one built project completed in the year from 1 December 2023 – 1 December 2024 and a minimum of 1 other project either built or unbuilt. No more than four projects, in total, should be submitted and built projects should have been completed in the past three years.

You are asked to produce and upload a presentation board that completes your entry. Please add the category to your basket using the check box, and click 'enter now'. You will then be asked to either login or register your account to view the full criteria and questions to be answered for your entry. You can add or remove more categories once you have registered and enter as many categories that fit your criteria as you wish.

This award is open to architects working on buildings - whether residential or teaching facilities – in the nursery, primary and secondary education sector including sixth form colleges. The judges will be looking for evidence of all-round design excellence including the ability to delight building users, an appropriate response to context and positive contribution to the community, sustainability and the promotion of wellbeing and fitness for purpose over a body of work. The size of the projects featured will not be a factor in their deliberations.
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Your entry should include one built project completed in the year from 1 December 2023 – 1 December 2024 and a minimum of 1 other project either built or unbuilt. No more than four projects, in total, should be submitted and built projects should have been completed in the past three years. One project may be international.

You are asked to produce and upload a presentation board that completes your entry. Please add the category to your basket using the check box, and click 'enter now'. You will then be asked to either login or register your account to view the full criteria and questions to be answered for your entry. You can add or remove more categories once you have registered and enter as many categories that fit your criteria as you wish.

This award is open to architects working on buildings - whether residential or teaching facilities – in the higher education sector. This can include further education colleges, technical colleges, post 18 community colleges and universities. The judges will be looking for evidence of all-round design excellence including the ability to delight building users, an appropriate response to context and positive contribution to the community, sustainability and the promotion of wellbeing and fitness for purpose over a body of work. The size of the projects featured will not be a factor in their deliberations.
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Your entry should include one built project completed in the year from 1 December 2023 – 1 December 2024 and a minimum of 1 other project either built or unbuilt. No more than four projects, in total, should be submitted and built projects should have been completed in the past three years. One project may be international.

You are asked to produce and upload a presentation board that completes your entry. Please add the category to your basket using the check box, and click 'enter now'. You will then be asked to either login or register your account to view the full criteria and questions to be answered for your entry. You can add or remove more categories once you have registered and enter as many categories that fit your criteria as you wish.

This award is open to architects working on all forms of housing development from a minimum of two homes up to large-scale multi-unit housing developments. This includes homes for sale, social housing and market rate rental homes. The judges will be looking for evidence of all-round design excellence including the ability to delight occupiers, sustainability and the promotion of wellbeing and fitness for purpose over a body of work. The size of the projects featured will not be a factor in their deliberations.
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Your entry should include one built project completed in the year from 1 December 2023 – 1 December 2024 and a minimum of 1 other project either built or unbuilt. No more than four projects, in total, should be submitted and built projects should have been completed in the past three years. One project may be international.

You are asked to produce and upload a presentation board that completes your entry. Please add the category to your basket using the check box, and click 'enter now'. You will then be asked to either login or register your account to view the full criteria and questions to be answered for your entry. You can add or remove more categories once you have registered and enter as many categories that fit your criteria as you wish.

This category is intended for one-off family houses of any budget. The judges will be looking for evidence of all-round design excellence including the ability to delight the occupiers, sustainability and the promotion of wellbeing and fitness for purpose over a body of work.
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Your entry should include one built project completed in the year from 1 December 2023 – 1 December 2024 and a minimum of 1 other project either built or unbuilt. No more than four projects, in total, should be submitted and built projects should have been completed in the past three years.

You are asked to produce and upload a presentation board that completes your entry. Please add the category to your basket using the check box, and click 'enter now'. You will then be asked to either login or register your account to view the full criteria and questions to be answered for your entry. You can add or remove more categories once you have registered and enter as many categories that fit your criteria as you wish.

This award recognises the suppliers who have really gone the extra mile in their partnerships with architects. Any organisation that supplies a product, software or service to the architectural industry is eligible to enter. The industry partner will show an exemplary record of customer service by demonstrating how challenges faced by architects are solved by proactively offering initiatives, products or services that deliver success for their clients. Judges will be looking for innovative solutions and evidence of how these helped serve the architectural industry. Evidence can include metrics, product development information to solve a specific issue and testimonials from satisfied customers.
£ 99.00 +VAT (20%)
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Your entry should be displayed across one PDF board (no larger than A1) and including as many pictures as you see fit. Please include up to 1000 words as to why you should win this award. Your entry should be displayed across one PDF board (no larger than A1) and include data, images and a written submission not exceeding 1000 words describing why you should win this award.

Please add the category to your basket using the check box, and click 'enter now'. You will then be asked to either login or register your account to view the full criteria and questions to be answered for your entry. You can add or remove more categories once you have registered and enter as many categories that fit your criteria as you wish.

This award is open to architects working on the design of interiors – whether those of shops, restaurants, hotels, houses or offices. The judges will be looking for evidence of all-round design excellence including the ability to delight building users, sustainability and the promotion of wellbeing and fitness for purpose over a body of work. The size of the projects featured will not be a factor in their deliberations.


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Your entry should include one built project completed in the year from 1 December 2023 – 1 December 2024 and a minimum of 1 other project either built or unbuilt. No more than four projects, in total, should be submitted and built projects should have been completed in the past three years. One project may be international.

You are asked to produce and upload a presentation board that completes your entry. Please add the category to your basket using the check box, and click 'enter now'. You will then be asked to either login or register your account to view the full criteria and questions to be answered for your entry. You can add or remove more categories once you have registered and enter as many categories that fit your criteria as you wish.

This category is not open to entries/nominations. The winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award will be decided by our esteemed judging panel/editorial team and announced on the night.
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This award recognises architects who have made an outstanding contribution towards reducing carbon emissions from the built environment. This includes the emissions from the construction, operation, and deconstruction of buildings. The judges will be looking for evidence of all-round design excellence including the ability to delight building users, and the promotion of wellbeing and fitness for purpose over a body of work. Above all else, the judges will be examining how the environmental impact of projects have been minimised including embodied and operational carbon and the promotion of a circular economy. Extra weight will be given to architects that include environmental performance data to back up entries. The size of the projects featured will not be a factor in their deliberations.
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Your entry should include one built project completed in the year from 1 December 2023 – 1 December 2024 and a minimum of 1 other project either built or unbuilt. No more than four projects, in total, should be submitted and built projects should have been completed in the past three years. Projects from any sector can be entered and one project may be international.

You are asked to produce and upload a presentation board that completes your entry. Please add the category to your basket using the check box, and click 'enter now'. You will then be asked to either login or register your account to view the full criteria and questions to be answered for your entry. You can add or remove more categories once you have registered and enter as many categories that fit your criteria as you wish.

This award is open to architects working on the design of offices, whether newbuilt or refurbishments of existing structures. The judges will be looking for evidence of all-round design excellence including the ability to delight building users, an appropriate response to context and positive contribution to the community, sustainability and the promotion of wellbeing and fitness for purpose over a body of work. The size of the projects featured will not be a factor in their deliberations.
£ 99.00 +VAT (20%)
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Your entry should include one built project completed in the year from 1 December 2023 – 1 December 2024 and a minimum of 1 other project either built or unbuilt. No more than four projects, in total, should be submitted and built projects should have been completed in the past three years.

You are asked to produce and upload a presentation board that completes your entry. Please add the category to your basket using the check box, and click 'enter now'. You will then be asked to either login or register your account to view the full criteria and questions to be answered for your entry. You can add or remove more categories once you have registered and enter as many categories that fit your criteria as you wish.

This award recognises architects who are undertaking projects of a relatively small scale, whether new build or refurbishment, and is open to one off small-projects. The judges will be looking for evidence of all-round design excellence including the ability to delight building users, sustainability and the promotion of wellbeing and fitness for purpose over a body of work.
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Your entry should include one built project completed in the year from 1 December 2023 – 1 December 2024, and your project must be under £5 million in value. 

You are asked to produce and upload a presentation board that completes your entry. Please add the category to your basket using the check box, and click 'enter now'. You will then be asked to either login or register your account to view the full criteria and questions to be answered for your entry. You can add or remove more categories once you have registered and enter as many categories that fit your criteria as you wish.

This award is open to architects working on large, one off projects from any sector, whether new build or refurbishment, with a value of over £100m. The judges will be looking for evidence of all-round design excellence including the ability to delight building users, sustainability and the promotion of wellbeing and fitness for purpose over a body of work.
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Your entry should include one built project completed in the year from 1 December 2023 – 1 December 2024.

You are asked to produce and upload a presentation board that completes your entry. Please add the category to your basket using the check box, and click 'enter now'. You will then be asked to either login or register your account to view the full criteria and questions to be answered for your entry. You can add or remove more categories once you have registered and enter as many categories that fit your criteria as you wish.

This award is open to architects working on any project of public function, including theatres, galleries, libraries, visitor centres, civic and religious buildings. The judges will be looking for evidence of all-round design excellence including the ability to delight building users, sustainability and the promotion of wellbeing and fitness for purpose over a body of work. The size of the projects featured will not be a factor in their deliberations.
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Your entry should include one built project completed in the year from 1 December 2023 – 1 December 2024 and a minimum of 1 other project either built or unbuilt. No more than four projects, in total, should be submitted and built projects should have been completed in the past three years. 

You are asked to produce and upload a presentation board that completes your entry. Please add the category to your basket using the check box, and click 'enter now'. You will then be asked to either login or register your account to view the full criteria and questions to be answered for your entry. You can add or remove more categories once you have registered and enter as many categories that fit your criteria as you wish.

This award is open to architects working on the remodelling of existing structures. The judges will be looking for evidence of all round design excellence and creative reinvention of existing structures to meet modern needs over a body of work. The judges will also be looking at ability to delight building users, sustainability and the promotion of wellbeing and fitness for purpose. The size of the projects featured will not be a factor in their deliberations.
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Your entry should include one built project completed in the year from 1 December 2023 – 1 December 2024 and a minimum of 1 other project either built or unbuilt. No more than four projects, in total, should be submitted and built projects should have been completed in the past three years.

You are asked to produce and upload a presentation board that completes your entry. Please add the category to your basket using the check box, and click 'enter now'. You will then be asked to either login or register your account to view the full criteria and questions to be answered for your entry. You can add or remove more categories once you have registered and enter as many categories that fit your criteria as you wish.

This award is open to architects working on retail and leisure facilities of all scale including sports facilities, shops, cinemas, leisure centres, restaurants, hotels and spas. The judges will be looking for evidence of all-round design excellence including the ability to delight building users, sustainability and the promotion of wellbeing and fitness for purpose over a body of work. The size of the projects featured will not be a factor in their deliberations.
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Your entry should include one built project completed in the year from 1 December 2023 – 1 December 2024 and a minimum of 1 other project either built or unbuilt. No more than four projects, in total, should be submitted and built projects should have been completed in the past three years.

You are asked to produce and upload a presentation board that completes your entry. Please add the category to your basket using the check box, and click 'enter now'. You will then be asked to either login or register your account to view the full criteria and questions to be answered for your entry. You can add or remove more categories once you have registered and enter as many categories that fit your criteria as you wish.

This award is open to architects whose work is making a significant difference to the quality of people’s lives. The winner will be an architectural practice whose schemes have gone beyond the usual benefits from a new building and radically increased the well-being of those who interact with the finished work including end users and the wider community. The judges will be looking for how projects promote healthy, active lifestyles, promote wellbeing and community spirit, make efficient use of resources for construction and operation and promote biodiversity. Entrants should also demonstrate how schemes have made a positive contribution to the local economy including engagement with local communities to determine outcomes at design stage. The judges will also be looking for evidence that you are a socially responsible practice including initiatives that engage local communities with design or benefit deprived or marginalised groups. Judges will also look for evidence of all-round design excellence and fitness for purpose over a body of work. The size of the projects featured will not be a factor in their deliberations.

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Your entry should include one built project completed in the year from 1 December 2023 - 1 December 2024 and a minimum of 1 other project either built or unbuilt. No more than four projects, in total, should be submitted and built projects should have been completed in the past three years.

You are asked to produce and upload a presentation board that completes your entry. Please add the category to your basket using the check box, and click 'enter now'. You will then be asked to either login or register your account to view the full criteria and questions to be answered for your entry. You can add or remove more categories once you have registered and enter as many categories that fit your criteria as you wish.

This category is not open to entries/nominations. The winner of the Gold Award will be decided by our esteemed judging panel from the winners across all of our categories. It is the Award to determine our ‘best of the best’.

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This award is open to home based and international architects working on projects outside the UK. Eligible projects include housing, education facilities, offices, retail & leisure, public buildings and refurbishment. The judges will be looking for evidence of all-round design excellence including the ability to delight building users, sustainability and the promotion of wellbeing and fitness for purpose over a body of work. The size of the projects featured will not be a factor in their deliberations.
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Your entry should include one built project completed in the year from 1 December 2023 – 1 December 2024 and a minimum of 1 other project either built or unbuilt. No more than four projects, in total, should be submitted and built projects should have been completed in the past three years.

You are asked to produce and upload a presentation board that completes your entry. Please add the category to your basket using the check box, and click 'enter now'. You will then be asked to either login or register your account to view the full criteria and questions to be answered for your entry. You can add or remove more categories once you have registered and enter as many categories that fit your criteria as you wish.

This award is open to fully qualified architects who have been practicing for less than 12 years on the deadline for award entries. Entries will also be accepted from practices where the majority of principals have been practicing for 12 years or under. If there are only two principals, both need to have been practicing for less than 12 years on the deadline for award entries. Entries from architects with a strong philosophy but without the back-up of much built work are encouraged, as are entries from previous YAYA entrants. The award is open to UK and European architects. Architects should be registered with ARB or the relevant architectural body in their country.

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