Vision Categories

Photograph

• Exterior – This category rewards photographs of exterior architecture that powerfully communicate a building's form or space, capturing the essence of the place and the experience of those that inhabit it. It can be located anywhere in the world and be at any scale. Any photograph that portrays part or all of the exterior of a building (or group of buildings) is eligible.
• Interior – At its best, interior photography captures the immersive experience of people that inhabit a space, inviting the viewer in. This category rewards photographs of interior architecture across all typologies, scales and geographies. Any photograph that portrays part or all of the interior of a building (or group of buildings) is eligible.
• Urban – This category rewards photographs of architecture in urban settings. Photographs that creatively capture the atmosphere of a city or town, and tell a story about the people that live, work and play within it, will score highly. Images portraying skylines, cityscapes, roofscapes and urban infrastructure are eligible. The photograph can have been captured anywhere in the world and portray architecture at any scale.
• Landscape – Great architectural photography is not just about buildings, but also the spaces in between. This category rewards photographs of landscape architecture, architecture within landscapes, and images that show the juxtaposition between buildings and the spaces that surround them. Images portraying streetscapes, squares, plazas, parks, recreational spaces, private gardens and architecture in rural settings are eligible. The photograph can have been captured anywhere in the world and portray architecture at any scale.

Video

• Short Form (less than 3 minutes) – This category is dedicated to short (under 3 minutes) architectural films, videos and animations created for any purpose, whether it be for marketing, storytelling, entertainment, art or education. Videos can feature built projects or conceptual architecture, and may be in any format, including but not restricted to: Project fly-throughs, animations, interviews and making-of / timelapse videos. Videos that are personal projects as well as commissioned works are eligible.
• Long Form (more than 3 minutes) – This category is dedicated to longer (3 minutes+) architectural films, videos and animations created for any purpose, whether it be for marketing, storytelling, entertainment, art or education. Videos can feature built projects or conceptual architecture, and may be in any format, including but not restricted to: Project fly-throughs, animations, interviews and making-of / timelapse videos. Videos that are personal projects as well as commissioned works are eligible.

Drawing

• Hand Drawn – In our digital age, there is still something uniquely powerful about hand drawings. This category rewards hand drawings that powerfully communicate an architectural space — either existing or proposed/conceptual. They can be located anywhere in the world and be at any scale. They can take the form of a Plan, Section, Elevation, Perspective (1 or 2 point), Parallel Projection (axonometric, isometric etc.), Concept Sketch, Detail or Abstract. As long as a drawing portrays part or all of a building or group of buildings, it is eligible.
• Computer Aided – As technology evolves, the ways in which creators can present their architectural ideas expands. This category rewards computer aided drawings (or drawings that combine hand and computer-driven techniques) that powerfully communicate an architectural space — either existing or proposed/conceptual. They can be located anywhere in the world and be at any scale. They can take the form of a Plan, Section, Elevation, Perspective (1 or 2 point), Parallel Projection (axonometric, isometric etc.), Concept Sketch, Detail or Abstract. As long as a drawing portrays part or all of a building or group of buildings, it is eligible.

Visualization

• Photorealistic – Rendering software is now powerful enough to create incredibly realistic visions of our built environment, but it takes great skill to do so. This category rewards photorealistic, computer-generated visualizations and renderings that portray architecture in a compelling way. They can be located anywhere in the world, be at any scale, and can take the form of a perspective, parallel projection, section, abstract or any other image format.
• Artistic – When done well, an artistic visualization can powerfully communicate the experiential qualities of a space and illuminate the concept behind a building. This category rewards non-photorealistic, computer-generated visualizations, renderings and illustrations that portray architecture in some form. The visualization can be located anywhere in the world, be at any scale, and can take the form of a perspective, parallel projection, section, abstract or any other image format.
• AI-Assisted Rendering – Artificial intelligence is changing the art and craft of architectural representation as we know it. While it can mimic many forms of representation, it is a separate craft. This category rewards innovative AI-assisted architectural visualizations, using tools such as Midjourney, DALL·E, Craiyon, Dream by WOMBO, and other similar applications. While images must be original and unique, they can include real or imagined architecture and be created in any artistic style.

Model-Making

• Physical Models – Despite the dawn of the digital age, well-made physical models still resonate powerfully with clients and the wider public. This category rewards physical architectural models that span every style, scale and material. Both handcrafted and 3D printed models are eligible, but entries that demonstrate an innovative approach to model-making as a mode of concept development will score highest.

Creator Categories

• Architectural Photographer of the Year – For individuals and studios demonstrating excellence in the field of architectural photography. Entrants should submit a selection of up to 12 images that showcase the breadth of their work, accompanied by a personal statement that describes their creative approach. Professionals, non-professionals and students may enter, and team entries by architecture firms and photography studios are also eligible.
• Architectural Visualizer of the Year – For individuals and studios demonstrating excellence in the field of architectural visualization. Entrants should submit a selection of up to 12 images that showcase the breadth of their work, accompanied by a personal statement that describes their creative approach. Professionals, non-professionals and students may enter, and team entries by architecture firms and photography studios are also eligible.
• Architectural Videographer of the Year – For individuals and studios demonstrating excellence in the field of architectural filmmaking. Entrants should submit a selection of up to 6 videos and/or a showreel that showcase the breadth of their work, accompanied by a personal statement that describes their creative approach. Professionals, non-professionals and students may enter, and team entries by architecture firms and photography studios are also eligible.
• Architect Creator of the Year – For individuals demonstrating excellence in the field of architectural representation, across multiple mediums Entrants should submit a selection of up to 12 images that showcase the breadth of their work, accompanied by a personal statement that describes their creative approach. Professionals and non-professionals may enter, and firms may enter on behalf of an individual within their firm, ensuring credit is given as necessary.
• Student Creator of the Year – For students demonstrating excellence in the field of architectural representation, across multiple mediums. Entrants should submit a selection of up to 12 images that showcase the breadth of their work, accompanied by a personal statement that describes their creative approach. This category is reserved for current students and 2023 graduates. Universities may enter on behalf of individual students, ensuring credit is given as necessary.