The Record Awards 2026

This award seeks to recognize the year’s best built and unbuilt projects as well as honor leading and emerging voices in the field.

Category Award / Open to Students
Type International, Open, Award, Single-Stage, Anonymous
Genre Architecture
Country United States
RegDeadline 15 July 2026 GoogleCal iCal
15 July 2026 (via Online)
Eligibility All
Target Field A single building, completed within the eighteen months prior to the competition deadline

Categories
- Building of the Year
Awarded to a single building, completed within the eighteen months prior to the competition deadline, that exemplifies excellence in architectural design. Firms cannot directly apply to this award--the project will be selected, by the editors, from the winners of the "Best of Architecture" categories, listed below.
- Best of Architecture Award
Awarded to a single building, completed within the eighteen months prior to the competition deadline, in each of the following categories. At the discretion of the jury, runners-up or no winners may be selected for certain categories.
Adaptive Reuse (any building type)*
Civic & Government
Colleges & Universities
Details & Facades
Health Care
Hospitality
Housing
Museums
Office & Workplace
Parks & Recreation
Performance Spaces
Pre-K-12
Restoration (any building type)*
Sports
Tall Buildings
Transportation & Infrastructure
Unbuilt (Student/Recent Graduate)
Unbuilt (Firm/Practice)**
- Architect of RECORD
Recognizing a lifetime of achievement in the profession and exceptional work published in the pages of the magazine.
- Innovator of the Year
For outstanding contributions to the built environment that push disciplinary boundaries. Architects, engineers, building scientists, and related professionals are all eligible for the prize.
- Rising Professional Award
Awarded to a leading architect or designer, under 50 years of age, who is shaking up the profession.

Jury
A jury of practicing architects, from a range of firm sizes and expertise, and Architectural Record editors will select winners of the Best of Architecture Awards.

Prize
Publication

Entry Fee
Entry fees range from $200 - $300 depending on firm size.
- Early Bird Discount (ends May 15)
Firms under 80 people: $150
Firms over 80 people: $250
- Regular
Firms under 80 people: $200
Firms over 80 people: $300
- Students/Recent Graduates
$25

Timetable
Applicants will be notified of decisions by the end of September.

Links
Past winners

Organizer
Architectural Record

Official Website