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Frequently Asked Questions
The Entry Process
Categories
Submissions
Judging
Winning an Award
Newsletters / Staying informed
Miscellaneous
The Entry Process
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Can I log in with my existing Architizer username & password?
Please use your Architizer login credentials to access your Vision Awards account. Click here to login or create an Architizer account.
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What assets do I need to enter the Vision Awards?
Below is a list of everything you will need to submit to the Vision Awards.
Entrant details (name, contact information, URLs)- Note that student entrants should use their university email address to register.
Architectural Concept Categories:- Up to six (6) unbuilt images and one (1) video. Supporting materials should clearly communicate your project's primary concept and may include renderings, drawings, diagrams, and physical or digital models.
- Images: Single Images ONLY (no collages). 20MB max per file in jpg, jpeg or png file format.
- Video: 300MB max per file in mpg, flv or mp4 file format.
- Project Story. Your project story should clearly articulate the central idea behind your project and the thinking that shaped it. 150 word maximum.
- A single (1) image for each category selected. Your image should clearly communicate your project's idea as it connects to your chosen category.
- Images: Single Images ONLY (no collages). 20MB max per file in jpg, jpeg or png file format.
- Project Story. Your project story should explain the creative process behind your rendering or drawing and clarify what your image communicates. 150 word maximum.
- A single (1) image or video for each category selected. Your image/video should clearly communicate your project's idea as it connects to your chosen category.
- Images: Single Images ONLY (no collages). 20MB max per file in jpg, jpeg or png file format.
- Video: 300MB max per file in mpg, flv or mp4 file format.
- Project Story. Your project story should explain the creative process behind your photo or video and clarify what the imagery communicates. 150 word maximum.
- Up to twelve (12) images and/or up to six (6) videos. Your materials should comprise a portfolio of work for your selected category. Note that Architectural Visualizer of the Year entrants may include both renderings and drawings.
- Images: Single Images ONLY (no collages). 20MB max per file in jpg, jpeg or png file format.
- Video: 300MB max per file in mpg, flv or mp4 file format.
- Entrant Statement. Your statement should describe how your work pushes the boundaries of your discipline, including your creative approach and how your work is helping to define new ways of architectural storytelling. 300 word maximum.
Add tools used in your creative process (Optional)
Opt in to additional award opportunities (Optional)
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Can I withdraw my entry? Will I get a refund?
You may withdraw your entry by emailing visionawards@architizer.com. Refunds WILL be issued for entries that are withdrawn within 48hrs of being submitted. Refunds WILL NOT be issued for entries withdrawn after 48hrs of being submitted.
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How can I be sure you have received my entry?
You will see a confirmation page noting your entry number and will also receive a confirmation email acknowledging receipt of your entry. If you do not receive an email confirmation within 24hrs, please email visionawards@architizer.com.
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How can I change my entry?
The following information can be changed on an entry any time prior to the close of the selected entry period.
- Contact Information
- Description or Statement
- Images and/or videos
Please email customer service at visionawards@architizer.com for further information and to request changes.
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Do you have to be based in the United States to participate?
No. The Architizer Vision Awards is a global awards program.
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Does the entry description need to be in English?
Yes. In order to ensure our judges are able to review and score your work we require your descriptions to be submitted in English.
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I just graduated. Can I enter the Vision Awards as a student?
Yes — Class of 2026 students that recently graduated can enter as students. Your graduation date should be no earlier than summer of 2026 to be eligible for a student entry. Please enter using your student email address, as this will help us verify your status with your University in the event that you are selected as a Winner. Architizer reserves the right to disqualify any student entry for which we are unable to verify.
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I entered a project or image in the A+Awards. Can I resubmit it for a Vision Award?
Yes! Submissions and/or visual assets previously entered in Architizer’s A+Awards program are eligible for the Vision Awards, providing they meet the relevant eligibility criteria.
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Can I resubmit an entry from the previous Vision Awards season?
Yes! Submissions previously entered in the Vision Awards can be resubmitted this season, providing they meet the relevant eligibility criteria.
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Can I enter a project that has previously been published?
Yes, projects that have been published on Architizer or other platforms are eligible for submission in the Vision Awards. In addition, projects which have been entered into or won Architizer or other industry awards are eligible for submission. There is no requirement that your project be developed explicitly for the Vision Awards.
Categories
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Which category should I enter?
The Architizer Vision Awards has 38 categories broken up into Architectural Concepts, Architectural Rendering & Drawing, Architectural Photography & Video, and Architectural Visionary Categories.
The Architectural Concept categories reward unbuilt projects that present bold ideas for the future of architecture. Whether rethinking housing, transportation, public space, or sustainability, these categories recognize speculative designs that push boundaries and address contemporary challenges. Entries may include conceptual renderings, drawings, diagrams, or visual presentations of unbuilt or to-be-built proposals.
The Architectural Rendering & Drawing categories celebrate the power of imagery in communicating architecture through renderings and drawings. These categories recognize outstanding individual works that tell compelling stories about architecture, whether through hyperrealistic or artistic renderings, expressive drawings, or hybrid digital mediums. Entries can be unbuilt or built.
The Architectural Photography & Video categories celebrate the art of capturing architecture through the lens of still and moving image. These categories recognize individual photographs and films that reveal the character, atmosphere, and lived experience of the built environment, whether through carefully framed documentation, cinematic storytelling, or experimental visual narratives. These categories generally depict built works.
The Architectural Visionary categories honor the most exceptional creators across architectural photography, visualization, video, and conceptual design. These awards celebrate individuals and firms who demonstrate excellence across multiple works, establishing themselves as the leading voices in architectural ideation and storytelling. Projects can be built or unbuilt, but should align with the chosen category.
There is no limit to how many works you can submit or the number of categories you can enter, and it is possible to win multiple times. The Architizer Vision Awards reserves the right to move entries to other categories if it is clearly appropriate to do so. If this is the case, you will be notified by email.
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Can I enter more than one category?
Yes. There is no limit to how many works can be submitted or how many categories you can enter, and it is possible to win multiple times. The higher number of entries submitted, the better your chances to win!
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Can I submit a project in one of the Architectural Concept categories, and an individual image or video from that project in one of the other categories?
Yes! Visual assets from a project-based “Concept” entry can also be submitted for accolades in the other categories, providing they meet the relevant eligibility criteria.
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How to can I apply for a “Best of the Year” award?
The Best of the Year Awards may be entered during any entry period as an add on to an existing entry for a fee of $125. To enter, fill out the submission form for a Vision Awards entry in the Vision or Concept category of your choice. When you arrive at the Entry Information page, navigate down to the “Best of the Year” section and click the check box to put your entry in the running for extra recognition.
Submissions
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Is judging anonymous?
No. The entrant’s identity will be visible to Jurors and Architizer Editors during judging.
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What file types can I submit?
Images – 20MB max in jpg, jpeg or png file format (please submit highest resolution possible)Videos– 300mb max in mpg, flv or mp4 file format (maximum length 10 minutes)
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How many files can I submit?
Architectural Concept Categories:- Up to six (6) unbuilt images (Single Images ONLY, No collages). 20MB max per file in jpg, jpeg or png file format and/or
- Up to one (1) video. 300MB max per file in mpg, flv or mp4 file format.
- A single (1) image (Single Images ONLY, No collages). 20MB max per file in jpg, jpeg or png file format.
- A single (1) image (Single Images ONLY, No collages). 20MB max per file in jpg, jpeg or png file format and/or
- A single (1) video. 300MB max per file in mpg, flv or mp4 file format.
- Up to twelve (12) unbuilt images (Single Images ONLY, No collages). 20MB max per file in jpg, jpeg or png file format and/or
- Up to one (1) video. 300MB max per file in mpg, flv or mp4 file format.
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Can I include built project imagery within my submission?
For the vast majority of categories, including those in the Architectural Concept categories, entrants should emphasize unbuilt or process imagery in their submission. The Vision Awards was designed to celebrate innovative architectural ideas, and we find that drawings, models, renderings and sketches best showcase these ideas in their purest form.
Entrants in the Photography and Video categories, which explicitly emphasize storytelling of built projects in their respective mediums, may submit built project imagery.
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Can I use AI to generate imagery in my submission?
Yes, the use of AI tools in image creation is allowed across all categories, but we encourage entrants to disclose use of AI tools in their submission and to ensure that your submission reflects your unique creative vision. We rely on entrants to own the rights to their submissions, including elements generated by AI tools. Submissions should not infringe upon the intellectual property rights of others and can be disqualified by Architizer if they do so.
Judging
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Who is on the Architizer Vision Awards jury?
The Vision Awards Jury comprises practitioners and thought leaders from the worlds of architecture, design, technology and media, each with a special connection to reimagining our built environment. The jury includes leaders who are bringing forward-looking architecture to the public today, either through their extraordinary designs, built projects or imagery. For entrants and winners, this is an opportunity to get your work in front of people who are shaping the future of architecture — from concept to completed work. Click here to see the full jury.
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What is the 2026 Vision Awards timeline?
Below is a timeline of the Vision Awards program:
2026 Vision Awards Opens March 30, 2026 Early Entry Deadline April 17, 2026 Main Entry Deadline May 22, 2026 Final Entry Deadline June 26, 2026 Extended Entry Deadline July 24, 2026 Editors Voting August 2026 Jury Voting September 2026 Winners Announced October 2026
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Can you explain how the submissions are judged?
Please see judging process and criteria.
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Is it possible to receive the judges rating and/or comments for my work?
Unfortunately due to the high volume of entries, the Architizer Vision Awards cannot offer individual comments to its entrants. Select quotes from jurors will be included in editorial coverage for notable entries.
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When will winners be announced?
Winners will be announced in October 2026.
Winning an Award
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How many entrants win Vision Awards?
For each Vision Awards category, two accolades are up for grabs: The Editors’ Choice Award, selected by Architizer’s Editorial Team; and the Jurors’ Choice Award, selected by an expert jury of industry experts and thought leaders from the shortlisted nominees in each category. Finalists will comprise the five top-scoring entries in each category.
Entrants can also opt in to the “Best of the Year” Awards for additional opportunities for recognition.
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Do you hold an event?
Yes, the Vision Awards inaugural event will take place in Paris, France in mid-October. As part of Architizer’s partnership with RELEASE [AEC] – an industry-wide gathering on emerging tech in AEC – Vision Awards winners will be announced live, in-person at the event. Finalists and Winners will have the opportunity to attend the day-long program comprising keynotes, panel discussions, demonstrations, and a networking reception. Select Finalists and Winners will also be invited to speak or exhibit their work at the event.
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What do I get if I win an Architizer Vision Award or if my entry is chosen as a Finalist?
Winners receive:- Listing in the Winners' Gallery on Architizer.com
- Inclusion in the Official Winners Announcement
- Inclusion in the 2027 Visionary 100
- Inclusion in one or more Vision Awards editorial features on Architizer.com
- Inclusion in one or more albums featuring Vision Awards Winners on Architizer’s Instagram (1.6M followers).
- In-person recognition and visibility at the Vision Awards event in Paris (October 2026)
- Digital certificate highlighting your achievement
- Custom social assets and licensing to use digital badges for 1 year
- Opportunities for additional exposure across Architizer.com and DESIGNTV
- Other live and virtual opportunities for select Winners, including speaking engagements and publication in Metropolis magazine.
- One winner will join NADKA’s exclusive portfolio, unlocking global commercial licensing opportunities with premium clients across Film, TV, Gaming, and Advertising.
Finalists receive:- Listing in the Winners' Gallery on Architizer.com as a Finalist
- Inclusion in the Official Winners Announcement as a Finalist
- Two tickets to the Vision Awards event in Paris (October 2026).
- Licensing to use digital badges for 1 year
- Opportunities for additional exposure across Architizer.com
In addition, select finalists will be included in editorial features on Architizer.com and highlighted across Architizer’s social media channels to 4.75M followers.
Miscellaneous
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Can I rent the list of Architizer Vision Awards entrants or winners?
No. We do not rent or sell our entrant or winner lists.
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Can my organization sponsor the Architizer Vision Awards?
Interested in sponsoring or partnering with The Architizer Vision Awards? Opportunities include category sponsorship, virtual and live exhibitions, custom prizing for winners and more. To learn more about becoming a partner, email visionawards@architizer.com.