The A+D Design Awards came about as a means of providing a platform in excellence across disciplines. The aim of this program is to provide feedback from experts in a vast array of fields and expand the breadth of knowledge that goes into the typical awards. The categories, structure, and jury are all designed to go beyond the normative single discipline award structure, allowing for interdisciplinary growth and support.
Logistics
The A+D Design Awards are now open to submissions. We have extended the deadline to Oct 22 2021 at midnight PST.
Submissions are open to all disciplines and levels. There is a submission fee of $80 per project entered except for in the student category. This fee is considered a donation and goes directly to supporting the museum’s mission. For anyone to whom this fee presents to be an obstacle we ask that you contact the A+D Museum at awards@aplusd.org so we can work with you.
Submission Restrictions
All submissions must be sent in electronic format following submission fee disbursement. No hard copy submissions are accepted. There is no limit to the number of eligible projects an individual or firm may submit. Each project may be submitted to two categories. A submission fee is required for each entry.
For all submissions (images, PDFs, Movie Files, etc), please do not upload more than a total of 500MB of content.
Submitter claims to have provided no false information or made untrue statements of a fact or failed to state a material fact in their submission. The submitter has no other known agreements, commitments, agency relationships with other parties that would conflict with any interests of any confidentiality agreement executed between them. Submitted Material shall not infringe, misappropriate, or otherwise violate any copyright and any other intellectual property rights of any third party. Submitter has not received regarding submitted material, any written charge, complaint, claim, demand, or notice alleging any such intellectual property infringement, misappropriation, or other violation (including any claim that Submitter must refrain from using any intellectual property of any third party). Any submitted material is the original work of the submitter and that publicization of submitted material does not contain any libelous or unlawful matter. Submitters must make reasonable best efforts to protect and maintain their intellectual property.
Adair Curtis
...Adair Curtis had a long career in the music industry before becoming an interior designer. Adair worked closely with Russell Simmons, the incredibly influential hip-hop mogul and co-founder of Def Jam Records. In 2006, Curtis started as a brand manager at Def Jam Enterprises, climbing all the way to VP of Communications at Rush Communications, Simmons’ media company, in 2009.
Alvin Huang
...Alvin Huang, AIA is the Founder and Design Principal of Synthesis Design + Architecture and an Associate Professor at the USC School of Architecture. He is an award-winning architect, designer, and educator specializing in the integrated application of material performance, emergent design technologies and digital fabrication in contemporary architectural practice. His work spans all scales ranging from hi-rise towers and mixed-use developments to temporary pavilions and bespoke furnishings. His work has been published and exhibited widely and has gained international recognition with over 30 distinctions at local, national, and international levels.
Amy Murphy
...Amy Murphy is currently an Associate Professor at USC’s School of Architecture. She has a Bachelor of Fine Art as well as a Bachelor of Architecture from Rhode Island School of Design, and a M.F.A. in Cinema Production and a Ph.D. in Critical Studies from the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts. After working in Boston and LA at several larger offices, she started her own design practice, Amy Murphy Projects in 1996, completing numerous projects through the LA region (including the renovation of Rudolph Schinder’s Yates Studio in Silverlake). In the mid-1990s, Amy held the position of the Director of Filmforum, LA’s oldest non-profit dedicated to experimental media, and has completed several film and media works which have been accepted into national and regional film festivals. The majority of her written academic research focuses on the relationship between cinema and urban experience.
Ana Tabuena-Ruddy
...Ana Tabuena-Ruddy is a Los Angeles-based licensed landscape architect with over 15 years of experience working in both the public and private sectors. Prior to becoming a landscape architect, she began her career designing corporate interiors at the architecture firms of Gensler, HOK, and IA Interior Architects, and as an independent consultant to the former Community Redevelopment Agency of Los Angeles, crafting project proposals to reimagine interstitial public spaces in South LA as urban design opportunities. Currently, Ana works for the City of Los Angeles charged with grant project development and inter-agency coordination in the Advanced Planning and Grant Management Division of StreetsLA. In this role, Ana leads her team in seeking large-scale grant funding in the range of $20M-$50M to implement improvements in the City’s street network that includes urban greening, stormwater capture, active transportation, and placemaking.
Fernando Pullum
...Fernando Pullum moved to Los Angeles in 1984 to follow his dream of becoming an educator and professional musician. He assumed the music program at L.A.’s Washington Prep High School. Under his tutelage, the program thrived. In 1989, Los Angeles Unified School District recognized Fernando’s music program as the first music magnet in South Los Angeles. Fernando has been recognized by many organizations and individuals throughout his tenure, including Oprah, VH-1, the John Lennon Foundation and the State of California as its teacher of the year. He has performed and recorded with many industry greats, such as Stevie Wonder, Ella Fitzgerald, Jackson Browne, Etta James, Alicia Keys, Eddie Murphy, Fishbone and more. Six of his former students have won Grammys.
Ibai Rigby
... Ibai Rigby trained as an architect and urban planner, is currently working as an editor for the newborn digital platform urbanNext.net. His work involves tracking down cutting edge architecture and urban practices at a global scale, with a particular interest on the African continent, aiming at building collective narratives for a new generation of digital native and multicultural professionals acting across nations. Along with the digital platform, this convergence of resources and information is generated and disseminated through the production of books as well as the organising of public exhibitions and events.
Lev L. Spiro
...Lev L. Spiro is currently directing the new anthology series “The Dolly Parton Theater” for Netflix in Atlanta. He is sorely missed by his dogs Luna and T. Beau, and sometimes missed by his wife Producer/Writer Melissa Rosenberg. Lev has directed over 160 episodes, pilots and features for television, including such Emmy Award winning series as Modern Family, Weeds, My Name Is Earl, Ugly Betty, The O.C., Gilmore Girls, Dawson’s Creek, and Arrested Development. Lev’s specific shows have won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Children’s Program (“Wizards of Waverly Place The Movie”), a DGA Nomination for Outstanding Directorial Achievement (“Minutemen”), a GLAAD Award for Outstanding TV Episode of the Year (“Popular”) and many more.
Ludovica Molo
... Ludovica Molo is an architect and the director of i2a istituto internazionale di architettura in Lugano, which operates research in the field of architecture and urban culture since 1983. She is a partner of studio we architects in Lugano, which she founded in 2010 with Felix Wettstein. Together they are in charge of the focus Architecture and Structure in the Master of Arts in Architecture at the Lucerne School of Engineering and Architecture.
Marisa Issa
...Marisa Issa is a public relations and marketing professional with more than 16 years of experience developing and executing creative strategies to build brand recognition and promote product, events, and industries through proactive media relations. She joined Hello PR Group in late April 2017 as Partner.
John Murchison
... John Murchison is an accomplished content creator and executive with 20+ years of experience working at a global premiere cable television network, HBO. Key executive in developing and producing many of the network’s most high-profile, high-quality and award winning television shows and movies, which have won Emmy Awards, Golden Globe Awards and Peabody Awards. Developer of strong and authentic relationships with talent, producers, writers, directors and agents. He is focused on partnering with multiple departments to create innovative programming to reach global audiences.
Roger Davies
...Roger Davies moved to New York in the early 1990’s and began a life in photography. Whether shooting interiors, portraits or travel Roger’s images share a clean quality that perfectly portrays his subjects. Although his work takes him all over the world Roger currently resides in Los Angeles.
Ross Wimer
...Ross Wimer leads AECOM’s national architectural design practice. His projects range from industrial design to city planning to super tall buildings and have been built in 20 cities on five continents. Mr. Wimer is known for exploring the link between architecture and engineering, and for an emphasis on the environmental performance of design. Mr. Wimer’s projects have been published widely and shown at distinguished art exhibitions and institutions such as the Venice Biennale, the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Mr. Wimer continues an active relationship with academia as a visiting design critic at Harvard University, Yale University, Columbia University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Southern California Institute of Architecture, UCLA, USC, Parsons, Illinois Institute of Technology, and the University of Illinois – Chicago.
Sarah Lorenzen
...Sarah Lorenzen , AIA is a registered architect and Professor at Cal Poly Pomona. From 2007-2020 she served as resident director of the Neutra VDL Studio and Residences located in Los Angeles. Her practice Peter Tolkin + Sarah Lorenzen Architecture (TOLO) focuses on residential, commercial, and Arts-related projects. Sarah has received a number of design awards and grants including a Fulbright Fellowship, several Graham Foundation grants, and a six-week travel fellowship to China. In 2011-2012 Sarah took a one-year sabbatical leave to do research at TU Delft in the Netherlands. Her research at TU Delft focused on the ways in which new mapping technologies are changing how we understand and intervene in the built environment.
Tom Duffield
...Tom Duffield attended California State Polytechnic University’s School of Architecture. After working in Architecture, he discovered that film design and Art Direction was more rewarding, beginning his freelance career on the classic “Blade Runner.” Tom has lectured at AFI, Chapman and Loyola Universities and various other educational institutions during his film shoots around the U.S. He’s a 31 year member of the Academy of Motion Pictures which he now serves as a Governor..
Trudi Sandmeier
... Trudi Sandmeier is the Director of Graduate Programs in Heritage Conservation and an Associate Professor of Practice in Architecture at the University of Southern California (USC). She holds a B.A. in History from the University of California, Los Angeles and an M.A. in Historic Preservation Planning from Cornell University. She began teaching at USC in 2003 and since 2011 has served as a full-time faculty member and program director. She co-founded and serves as president of the non-profit Will Rogers Ranch Foundation, an organization dedicated to the ongoing restoration, rehabilitation, and preservation of Will Rogers State Historic Park. Her work centers on the conservation of the recent past and efforts to make visible the impact of underrepresented constituencies on the historic built environment.
Vinayak Bharne
...Vinayak Bharne is an inter-disciplinary faculty member teaching simultaneously in the USC graduate architecture, landscape architecture, and heritage conservation programs. Bharne is Principal at Moule & Polyzoides Architects and Urbanists in Pasadena and leads the firm’s urban design and city planning efforts. His professional work ranges from satellite cities, new towns, district master plans, resort-villages, campuses and housing for corporate, private and institutional clients; to urban regulations, policies and strategic advising for government and non-government agencies in the United States, Canada, India, Australia, China, United Arab Emirates, Panama, Kenya and Mauritius.
Willi Froetscher
... Willi Froetscher was born in Innsbruck, Tyrol. He received his diploma in 1986 from the University of Applied Arts, Vienna (Mag.arch.). He also received his M.Arch from UCLA in 1989. Willi has collaborated with various architectural offices in Vienna and has also acted as a teaching assistant at the University of Technology in Vienna from 1994-98. Since 2000, he shares a joint office with LC.
- Go to awards.aplusd.org
- Read through all restriction, information, and guidelines.
- Submit Fee Here (unless you are a student or have previously received a waiver)
- Fill out Google Form (open on Sept 7)
- A confirmation email will be sent and we will share a Google Drive for you to upload your content.
What is the deadline for submissions?
October 22, 2023
Do I need to pay before submitting?Each submission fee is considered a donation as it will all go back to supporting the museum as a non-profit institution. Each submission helps us continue to provide a platform for emerging voices in architecture and design. As an inclusive institution we have reserved a number of fee waived submissions. If the submission fee is a barrier please email us at awards@aplusd.org and we will work with you.
Once I complete the payment and fill out the Google Form, will I receive a confirmation?You will receive a confirmation after filling out the Google Form within 24 hours.
How many entries can I submit?You may submit up to two designs per category. You may not submit the same design twice in a single category. Please note we ask you to submit the fee for each submission.
Can I submit one design into multiple categories?You may submit one design into a maximum of 2 categories. Please note we ask you to submit the fee for each submission.
What dates do I need to know?- October 22, 2021: Submission Deadline
- October 28-November 11, 2021: Jury Convenes
- November 12,13, 14 2021: Winners Announced
- November 19, 2021: Winners and Sponsors Award Gala
No, please only submit one form. Within the form, it will ask you which categories you will be submitting to. We will send you separate Google Drive Folders for Each Category that you select.
Is there a limit to the amount of images or documents that I submit?There is no limit to the number of documents that you submit. You may submit all content that you believe will best showcase your work to the jury. We ask that submissions do not exceed 500MB
Who qualifies as a student?You must currently be enrolled either part time or full time at an academic institution
Can I get a refund and withdraw my submission?We will not be offering refunds for submissions. For any inquiries about a refund, please contact leila@aplusd.org
Can I make changes to my submission?For any changes that need to be made to the Google Form, please contact camille@aplusd.org You may make changes to your Google Drive Folder until Oct 17th at 1159PM PST.
Will I be notified if I’ve been selected?We will only be sending out emails to the selected recipients. Winners will be announced on 11-12,13,14-2021
What is the jury’s selection process?The Jury for each category will review all submissions individually. The top five from each will be discussed among the group and a selection will arise.
What do the winners receive?Winners will be featured in our Awards Show Gallery and across all our social media platforms. A physical award to be proudly displayed. Guidelines and Resources permitting we will curate present a physical exhibition in a surprise location.
Support the Awards, Support the Museum
Our inaugural awards in 2020 received unparalleled attention through the A+D Community, we received applications from across the globe and support across the ACE industries. Our 2021 awards promise to go beyond.This event offers a new level of exposure for our donors while ensuring funds raised go directly to supporting the A+D Museum’s mission. If you would like to give it to the awards program as a whole, please find our donation page here. To learn more sponsorship opportunities, we welcome you to explore our different levels outlined below.Should you have any questions or inquiries about becoming an awards sponsor, please reach out to Camille Elston, Design Awards Coordinator, at camille@aplusd.org.
Category Sponsors
$5,000.00 +
Category Sponsors will have the chance to select a category they would like to support based on availability. The donor’s brand will be recognized with all these categories’ presentations, including but not limited to in press materials, social media, and at an official awards ceremony. We will be announcing runner-up in addition to award winners, resulting in increased brand awareness.
Benefits at A Glance
- Donor name tied to all mentions and presentations of the category.
- Donor brand/logo on all press material.
- Recognition on Social Media posts.
- Any Award winners and runner-ups will be asked to feature the sponsor.
- Dedicated category e-blast, featuring company branding and an opportunity for brief sponsor message.
- 4 Tickets to a VIP Networking Event (health and safety guidelines permitting this event will be held in person).
Category Availability
- On the Wall
- On the Floor or Ceiling
- On the Desk
- On the Body
- On the Street
- Bigger than Model, Smaller than a Street
- Bigger than Street, Smaller than a City
- Still on Paper
- On the Screen
- In School
Submission Sponsors
$2,500.00 +
Submission fees will run at $80 in all categories except for students who are free. Submission Sponsors provide the opportunity for designers and artists to apply for submission sponsorship. The museum will then evaluate need and reach in selecting admission fee exemption. Part of this will include asking the artist to thank the sponsor..
Benefits At A Glance
- Donor logo on submission page of Awards web presence.
- Donor brand/logo on appropriate press material.
- Recognition on Social Media posts.
- Any grant awardees will be asked to feature the sponsor.
- 3 Tickets to a VIP Networking Event (health and safety guidelines permitting this event will be held in person).
Support Submissions
As an institution focused on creating equity ion our community, we are presenting this opportunity to even the playing field by giving designers in all financial situations the ability to submit work.
Community Sponsors
$350.00 +
Benefits At A Glance
- Donor logo on submission page of Awards web presence.
- Donor name on appropriate press material.
- Recognition on Social Media posts.
- 1 Ticket to a VIP Networking Event (health and safety guidelines permitting this event will be held in person).
