Architecture Award

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Sponsored by the USITT Architecture Commission, the Architecture Awards Program honors excellence in the design and recognize architects of theatre projects for 25 years.

 

 

 

Award winners will receive:

  • A complimentary full conference registration for the 2025 Annual Conference & Stage Expo
  • A framed award certificate
 
 
 

Design practitioners worldwide may enter one or more projects.

Entries may be for new spaces or renovations of existing spaces or any size or location.

Construction must have been completed AFTER January 1, 2014.

 
 
 
 

Award will be presented at the Annual Conference. The 2025 Annual Conference will take place from March 5-8 in Columbus.

 
 
 
 

Nominations Open: July 1, 2024

Nominations Close: September 1, 2024 (11:59 PM EDT)

Review Period: September – October 2024

Award Notifications: December 2024

Award Presentation: March 6, 2025

 
   
 
 

The entry fee for each project is $250 (US Currency).

This fee must be paid by credit card at the time of form submission.

All entry fees are non-refundable.

 
 
 
 

Read all guidelines carefully before submitting your application.

All applications must be submitted via the USITT Awards Portal to be considered.

All submission material must have full anonymity, please remove all project names, firm names, and architect names. Do not include project location or place on images, drafting, and other supporting materials. Submissions that do not meet these requirements will be rejected. You do NOT need to remove identifying information that may be visible on a rendering or photograph of the building.

Submit an 8.5”x 11” site plan, floor plans, sections, color or black and white photographs, and at least ten digital images showing exterior and interior views, and four images showing technical and backstage spaces. (.jpg preferred– file size no smaller than 300 dpi). Photos must cover entire scope of project including all major spaces from theaters and concert halls to rehearsal and back of house support spaces.

A maximum 300-word narrative description, in English, including how this project responds to the judging criteria, must be submitted on a single page. In addition to the 300-word narrative, please use maximum one page of bullet points by topic (minimum 12 pt font) to identify key points about the design of the project that you want to convey.

A one-page written statement in support of the project from an anonymous artistic or technical director working in the theatre should be included. The name of the design firm and personnel must NOT be in the letter. The statement should include specific commentary explaining how the building fits their needs.

Required information:

  • Project Name
  • Projection Location
  • Completion Date
  • Construction Cost
  • Owner name and address
  • Architecture Firm and primary contact information
  • Name and primary contact information for:
    • Associate Architect
    • Theatre Consultant
    • Acoustical Consultant
  • Name of:
    • Structural Consultant
    • MEP Consultant
    • Cost Consultant
    • Construction Manager
    • General Contractor
 
   
 
 

All USITT award applicants are required to submit a Professional Conduct Disclosure Form. This form will not be visible to the award jury and will only be reviewed by the USITT Ethics Officer.

This form is part of the submission and your submission will not be considered complete if it has not been submitted.

For more information, please review the USITT Honors and Awards Policy.

 
   
 
 

All nominations for the Architecture Award will be reviewed by selected members of the USITT Architecture Commission. Past jurors include:

  • Mitchell A Hirsch
  • Norman Pfeiffer FAIA
  • Yasu Toyota
  • Bing Thom
  • Jack Diamond
  • Barton Myers FAIA
  • Mark Holden
  • Malcolm Holzman FAIA
  • Graham Gund
  • Bob Esert
  • Bud Oringdulph AIA
  • Scott Crossfield
  • Joseph W. A. Myers
  • Russell Cooper
  • Duane Shuler
  • Mark Reddington, FAIA

No current USITT staff member may serve as a juror. Any reviewer with a conflict of interest is required to recuse themselves.

All submissions will be scored on a scale of 1-10 using the following criteria:

  • Creative image
  • Contextual resonance
  • Community contribution
  • Performance venue design
  • Explorations in new theater and acoustic technologies
  • Functional operations of front of house and back of house spaces
  • Sustainable design as part of the overall building

Judging process is overseen by the USITT Awards Committee and results are approved by the Board of Directors.

 
   
 
 

Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their requests via email after the Board of Directors has approved the results.

The drawings, photographs, and digital images of each entry will be used for unrestricted publicity. Each entrant must clear all credits, drawings, photographs, and digital images included in submission for future reuse and reproduction. All materials submitted will be retained by USITT..