You are invited to participate in the AIA Wisconsin Architecture Firm Award program by submitting a nomination or encouraging others to do so. The Architecture Firm Award is scheduled to be announced at the 2008 AIA Wisconsin Convention. Nominations for this award are due by October 31, 2007. This Call for Nominations provides information on the purpose of the award, eligibility, award criteria and nomination materials. If you have questions about the Architecture Firm Award, please contact the AIA Wisconsin office. Purpose The Architecture Firm Award is the highest honor that AIA Wisconsin, the state society of The American Institute of Architects, can bestow on a member-owned firm. Its purpose is to recognize a Wisconsin firm for outstanding achievement in the advancement of the architectural profession through significant contributions in one or more important areas of practice. Eligibility To be eligible for the award, nominated architecture firms must be located in Wisconsin, have at least one principal or owner who is an AIA Architect member of AIA Wisconsin and have provided architectural services in Wisconsin for a minimum of ten consecutive years. Firms that no longer exist or that have received the Architecture Firm Award within the past 15 years are not eligible. The AIA Wisconsin Firm Award Committee shall review all nominations for eligibility and compliance with established guidelines. Jury A distinguished jury of architects and public representatives shall be convened by the Firm Award Committee to review all eligible nominations. No more than one Architecture Firm Award shall be awarded. The recommendation of the jury shall be final. Award Criteria The jury shall consider information included in the nominations that documents how a firm has advanced the profession through significant contributions to the practice of architecture. Contributions may be in one or more than one important area of practice. Examples include the following: · Community Leadership, Public Service and Awareness · Building Technology and Systems · Career Development, Emerging Professionals and Mentoring · Architectural Design · Continuing Education and Research · Project Management and Delivery · Service to the AIA

Other significant contributions to the advancement of the architectural profession also shall be considered by the jury. The nomination shall clearly demonstrate the significance and ongoing quality of the contributions, whether focused on a single specific area of practice or related to a broad spectrum of different practice areas. The jury shall base its recommendation only on the information and documentation provided in the nomination materials. For firms with offices in multiple states, the nomination shall be based on the contributions for which the Wisconsin office is primarily responsible. When cited contributions result from collaborative relation-ships, nomination must identify the firms involved and the responsibilities of each. Nomination Guidelines Architecture firms may nominate themselves or be nominated by someone else, including clients, community groups and others outside of AIA Wisconsin membership. All nomination materials shall be submitted in a single 8 1/2" x 11" format clear acetate-sleeved three-ringed plain black binder furnished by the nominator. Nomination binder shall contain the following documentation in the following order: 1. One-page nomination letter signed by the individual or authorized representative of organization submitting the nomination. 2. A concise summary statement in support of the nomination that clearly identifies the specific area(s) of practice and highlights the firm’s significant contributions, describing why the firm should be considered for the award. This summary statement shall not exceed three pages. 3. History of the firm, including description of its founding, evolution, principals, size, practice and other relevant details. This narrative shall not exceed two pages. 4. Your nomination story, using graphic images, words or a combination of both. This section of the nomination shall not exceed a total of 20 pages. It should include items that help to support and document the significant contributions by the firm identified in the “summary statement” of the nomination. The information may include graphic images, such as photographs and drawings, of the firm’s projects and other work that relate to the nomination. It may include a summary of awards, honors or other types of pertinent recognition received by the firm for its contributions. If applicable, this section of the nomination also may include a synopsis or list of articles, books or other publications by or about the firm that demonstrates its contributions and service in advancing the profession. Nomination materials shall identify the year of any such awards, honors and/or publications. 5. Electronic files on CD-ROM representing all text and graphic images included in the nomination. Text shall be in MS Word or text format. Image files shall be 300 dpi 8" x 10" files (color=approx. 28M; grayscale=approx. 7M) or equivalent. Do not include images that are not represented in the nomination binder. 6. Completed “Firm Data Sheet” form, which is available from the AIA Wisconsin office. Nominations may be retained by AIA Wisconsin, at its discretion, for historical records and for use in publicity in the interest of the profession. AIA Wisconsin shall not accept responsibility for errors and omissions in the nomination materials.

Nomination Deadline
Nominations for the AIA Wisconsin Architecture Firm Award must be received at the AIA Wisconsin office by no later than 5:00p.m. on October 31, 2007. An entry fee of $150.00, with check payable to “AIA Wisconsin,” shall accompany the nomination. Nomination should be addressed for delivery to:

Firm Award Committee
AIA Wisconsin
321 S. Hamilton Street
Madison, WI 53703-4000

Award Presentation
The person submitting the nomination for the firm selected to receive the Architecture Firm Award will be notified as soon as practicable following the jury. The formal presentation of the award will take place during a special awards program at the 2008 AIA Wisconsin Convention, which is scheduled for April 30 & May 1 at the Monona Terrace Community & Convention Center in Madison. The award-winning firm will be requested to prepare an exhibit for display during the Convention. A special article on the firm also will be published in Wisconsin Architect magazine. AIA Wisconsin will explore with the firm additional opportunities to recognize and feature its outstanding achievements in advancing the profession.

Download Printable Call for Entries (pdf)

Back to Member News Main

 

©2008 AIA Wisconsin. All Rights Reserved.