4 Best Architectural Awards in 2026
September 12, 20252025 promises to be an exciting year for architecture. With new projects redefining how we live and interact with space, architectural awards provide an important platform to celebrate creativity, innovation, and impact.
For architectural firms, awards do more than recognize design excellence. They help build brand credibility, gain global exposure, and also help connect with peers and potential clients. Architectural award categories range from large-scale urban planning to residential projects, interiors, and sustainable design, so there’s something relevant to every practice.
In this guide, we highlight seven of the most prestigious architectural awards. For each, you’ll learn about their background, categories, submission details, and how winners gain visibility.
Why You Should Apply for an Award
Winning or even being shortlisted for an award can open many doors for your firm. Some of the key benefits include:
1. Enhanced credibility: An award signals to clients, partners, and peers that your work meets international (or local) standards of excellence. You’re obviously being recognized as one of the best, and winning an award communicates that to potential clients.
2. Increased visibility: Winners often receive press coverage in top architecture and design outlets, helping your work reach a global audience. For example, winners of AMP’s awards get mentioned in publications like rchDaily, Bustler, Interior Daily, Dexigner and Archinect.
3. Stronger client trust: Potential clients see award recognition as proof that your designs deliver quality and innovation. You’re not the only one claiming that you provide great work. Someone else is too.
4. Marketing advantage: Awards strengthen your portfolio, making your proposals and pitches stand out.
5. Networking opportunities: Ceremonies and festivals allow you to connect with fellow architects, developers, and thought leaders. Even governing bodies may attend award events, looking for a long-term partner for their local development projects.
6. Talent attraction: Ambitious architects and designers want to work with award-winning firms, improving your recruitment efforts. Think of young, hungry architects who want to make a name for themselves. They may start knocking on your door.
Best Architectural Awards in 2025
Several awards define the global conversation around architecture. Here’s an overview before we dive into full detail:
| Award | What is it? | Categories | Submission Deadline |
| Pritzker Architecture Prize | World’s most prestigious architecture prize outstanding architectural design | Lifetime achievement | N/A – nomination based |
| Architecture MasterPrize | International award celebrating design excellence | Architecture, Interior Design, Landscape, Product Design | September 30, 2026. 25% discount for entries made prior to February 28, 2026. |
| EUmies Awards | European architectural award celebrating outstanding architectural design | Architecture, Emerging, and Young Talent | November 2025 |
| Aga Khan Award for Architecture | Recognizes architecture serving Muslim communities | Various | September 15, 2026 |
1. Pritzker Architecture Prize
Often called the “Nobel Prize of Architecture,” the Pritzker Prize honors a living architect or architects whose built work demonstrates talent, vision, and commitment. Unlike other awards, it recognizes lifetime achievement rather than a single project.
There are no categories, as the prize focuses on overall contribution. Winners join an elite circle, with past laureates including Renzo Piano, Rem Koolhaas, and Anne Lacaton & Jean-Philippe Vassal.
Winners are announced in spring, with a formal ceremony held at a culturally significant site. The prestige and visibility are unmatched, with global media covering each announcement.
There is no set deadline for this award, as it’s completely nomination based.
2. Architecture MasterPrize
The Architecture MasterPrize (AMP) is one of the most inclusive and widely recognized awards in the industry. It celebrates the best of architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, sustainable designs, architectural product design and more.
Categories are broad, covering projects from single-family homes to large cultural and public spaces. AMP also highlights innovative materials and products that shape how spaces function.
Notable winners include firms like Zaha Hadid Architects, BIG, Tadao Ando, Sou Fujimoto, David Chipperfield, and many more. Projects that win one of AMP’s prizes often gain coverage across international design publications and are also featured on AMP’s website and annual book.
To apply, you’ll need to prepare high-quality images, detailed project descriptions, and supporting documentation (see their full submission requirements here).
Submission is online, with the final deadline on September 30, 2026. Entrants who submit before February 28, 2026 receive a 25% discount on the submission fee.
AMP Winner: Sluishuis by Barcode Architects, BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), Photo Ossip van Duivenbode
To apply, you’ll need to prepare high-quality images, detailed project descriptions, and supporting documentation (see their full submission requirements here).
Submission is online, with the final deadline on September 30, 2025.
3. EUmies Awards
Formerly known as the Mies van der Rohe Awards, the EUmies 2026 awards are underway with submissions open until November 2025.
The award celebrates outstanding architectural design in Europe, and the ceremony will be held during May 2026 in the world architecture capital, Barcelona. There are two main categories, being Architecture for significant completed architectural works and the Young Talent category.
Recent award winners include the Study Pavilion at TU Braunschweig by Gustav Düsing and Max Hacke as the Architecture Prize winner, and the Gabriel García Márquez Library in Barcelona by SUMA Arquitectura as the Emerging Architecture Prize winner.
For me information, check out the Eumies Awards website.
4. Aga Khan Award for Architecture
The Aga Khan Award is unique in its focus on architecture that improves quality of life in Muslim communities worldwide. It looks at social, cultural, and environmental impact, not just aesthetics.
Categories vary but often include housing, community facilities, and restoration projects.
Past winners include projects like the Revitalization of Muharraq in Bahrain and Bangladesh’s Arcadia Education Project. Recognition is significant, as projects receive international attention for blending tradition with modernity.
The Aga Khan Award for Architecture is a triennial award, meaning it has three-year cycles prior to the next award ceremony. With 2025 winners being finalized, entries for the next cycle are open and submissions are open until September 15, 2026.
How to Position Your Firm or Work for Award Success
Submitting to awards requires more than good design. To maximize your chances:
1. Craft compelling submissions: Tell the story behind your project. Explain the problem it solves and how it improves lives.
2. Show impact beyond design: Highlight sustainability, community benefit, or cultural contribution.
3. Use visuals effectively: High-quality photography and drawings make your submission memorable, helping your submission stand out and increasing your chances of winning.
4. Plan ahead: Track deadlines and prepare submissions early to avoid last-minute stress, and take advantage of early entry discounts.
5. Leverage recognition: Once shortlisted or awarded, showcase your award throughout your marketing, website, and pitches.
Final Thoughts & Next Steps
Architectural awards are more than recognition; they’re strategic tools to build your firm’s reputation, win new work, and connect with the global community.
Stay updated on deadlines and future opportunities by subscribing to our newsletter. You can also create an account and make your submission directly to the Architecture MasterPrize before the September 30, 2025 deadline.