The RSUA Architecture Awards 2026 are live!

Explainer

The Regional Public Building Award recognises projects of regional significance that are primarily funded by a Government body. The award seeks to showcase the critical role of architects in delivering major projects in Ulster that are funded by the taxpayer and deliver a public benefit.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Regional Public Building Award the project must be:

• At least 50% funded by the public purse
• Either:
  • A project over £20m, or;
  • A project of less than £20m but clearly of regional significance

Examples: Schools, hospitals, prison, universities, courts, Government offices, a memorial garden.

Standard project submission requirements and evaluation criteria apply.

Explainer

The Local Public Building Award recognises projects of local significance that are primarily funded by a Government body. The award seeks to showcase the critical role of architects in delivering impactful projects in Ulster that are funded by the taxpayer and deliver a public benefit.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Local Public Building Award the project must be:

• At least 50% funded by the public purse
• Either:
  • A project under £20m, or;
  • A project of more than £20m but with a very clear local significance but not particularly significant at a regional level.

Examples: Library, primary school, leisure centre, public realm scheme

Standard project submission requirements and evaluation criteria apply.

Explainer

The New Home Award recognises individual housing projects that deliver architectural excellence. This award aims to remind people that the benefits of good architecture start at home.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the New Home Award the project must be:

• A single house

There is no project value limit. Standard project submission requirements and evaluation criteria apply.

Explainer

The Home Upgrade Award recognises the impactful role of architects in delivering value to homeowners undertaking house extensions, remodelling or refurbishments.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Home Upgrade Award the project must be:

• A project that enhances an existing home

There is no project value limit. Standard project submission requirements and evaluation criteria apply.

Explainer

The Social Housing Development Award recognises the importance of good design in social housing to enable healthy, happy living in a sustainable environment.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Social Housing Development Award the project must be:

• A social housing development of 2 or more homes
• A project owned by a registered social housing provider

There is no project value limit. Standard project submission requirements and evaluation criteria apply.

Explainer

The Private Housing Development Award recognises the importance of good design in private housing to enable healthy, happy living in a sustainable environment and the business benefit of investing in architecture.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Private Housing Development Award the project must be:

• A private housing development of 2 or more homes
• At a stage that the development can be visited by a panel of judges and a reasonable assessment of its success can be made (relevant to large multi-phase projects)

There is no project value limit. Standard project submission requirements and evaluation criteria apply.

Explainer

The Small Project Award recognises that great architecture comes in all shapes and sizes. The Award aims to showcase that engaging an architect in small projects can deliver more than expected from a limited budget.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Small Project Award the project must be:

• Less than £500,000
• Not a housing project

There is no project value limit. Standard project submission requirements and evaluation criteria apply.

Explainer

The Conservation Award recognises the importance of the careful conservation of our built heritage. The Award aims to celebrate the success of architects in conserving buildings for the benefit of future generations.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Conservation Award the project must be:

• A project involving the conservation of a building, listed or otherwise.
• A project of any type, including housing, and either publicly or privately funded
• Delivered in-line with internationally recognised conservation principles

There is no project value limit. Standard project submission requirements and evaluation criteria apply.

Explainer

The Community Award recognises the tangible and widespread positive impact that architecture can have through local community projects. The award seeks to highlight the health and happiness that can be delivered through good design.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Community Award the project must be:

• A project that serves the community

Examples of community architecture: church hall, sports facilities, community hub

There is no project value limit. Standard project submission requirements and evaluation criteria apply.

Explainer

The Regeneration Award recognises the importance of holding on to our existing buildings and the opportunity they present to drive regeneration that has sustainability at its core.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Regeneration Award the project must be:

• A project involving an existing building

There is no project value limit. Standard project submission requirements and evaluation criteria apply.

Explainer

The Work and Leisure Award recognises how architecture impacts significantly on the region’s economic performance by creating the environment in which people work, socialise and attract visitors.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Work and Leisure Award the project must be:

• A project relating to work or leisure
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Examples: Office, retail, hospitality, tourism facility, factory.

There is no project value limit. Standard project submission requirements and evaluation criteria apply.

Explainer

The Ireland and Great Britain Award recognises that many architects’ practices based in Ulster design projects in other parts of the UK and Ireland. The Award seeks to showcase and celebrate this wide range of work.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Ireland and Great Britain Award the project must be:

• A project based outside the 9 counties of Ulster but within the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

As these projects will not be visited there may be a request for additional information during the process.

There is no project value limit. Standard project submission requirements and evaluation criteria apply.

Explainer

The RSUA Rising Star Award was launched in 2025 to recognise the significant and often unseen contribution made by architects in the early stages of their career. Nominations for this award can be made by the person themselves or someone else.

Eligibility

To be eligible for an RSUA Rising Star Award entrants must have completed their RIBA Part 2 or equivalent after 1 September 2016.

Entrants must be an ARB registered architect and will either be an RSUA chartered member or have submitted their application to join RSUA as a chartered member.

The 10-year timeframe aligns with the RIBAJ Rising Star process.  The winner of the RSUA Rising Star Award will be nominated for this UK-wide award.

Submission Requirements

The following elements must be submitted:

• Biography of entrant, 50 words maximum
• Personal statement from entrant or nominee, 400 words maximum
• Referee statement, 100 words maximum
• Two to five images and drawings of work referenced
• One headshot of entrant

Explainer

The Lifetime Achievement Award recognises someone who has made a major contribution to architecture in Ulster over a sustained number of decades.

Unlike the other award categories, submissions for this award will not be made public, there will be no shortlist and the winner will be informed in advance of the Awards ceremony and invited to attend as a VIP.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the RSUA Lifetime Achievement Award the person must be an architect or have been an architect.

In the first instance this is an award for a living person and will only be awarded posthumously in limited circumstances.

Permission from the person being nominated is not required.

Submission Requirements

The following elements must be submitted:

• Biography of entrant, 50 words maximum
• Statement from the nominator, 400 words maximum

Evaluation Criteria

The judging panel will consider:

• The length of service to the sector
• The impact of projects by the architect on architecture in NI or on communities
• The architect’s contribution to the profession
• The architect’s contribution to the wider built environment sector

Explainer

The Emerging Practice Award recognises an architects’ practice which has been recently established and stands out for its achievements over a relatively short number of years.

Nominations for this award are expected from the practice themselves but can also be made by someone else.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Emerging Practice Award the practice must have secured its first appointment within the last 7 years.

The practice must be based in Ulster.

At least one of the practice Partners/Directors must be an RSUA chartered member or be in the process of becoming an RSUA chartered member.

Submission Requirements

The following elements must be submitted:

• Biography of practice, 50 words maximum
• Practice statement from entrant or nominee, 400 words maximum
• client statement, 100 words maximum
• Two to five images and drawings of work referenced
• One photo of the key people in the practice

Evaluation Criteria

• Entries should demonstrate:
• Direction of travel
• Growth of the practice
• Project portfolio
• Practice ethos
• Successes

Explainer

The Practice of the Year Award recognises an architects’ practice which stands out for its achievements over recent years, with a particular focus on the past year.

Nominations for this award are expected from the practice themselves but can also be made by someone else.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Practice of the Year Award the practice must be based in Ulster.

At least one of the practice Partners/Directors must be an RSUA chartered member or be in the process of becoming an RSUA chartered member.

Submission Requirements

The following elements must be submitted:

• Biography of practice, 50 words maximum
• Practice statement from entrant or nominee, 400 words maximum
• client statement, 100 words maximum
• Two to five images and drawings of work referenced
• One photo of the key people in the practice

Evaluation Criteria

Entries should demonstrate:

• Commitment to people
• Project portfolio in recent years, with a particular focus on 2025
• Successes in recent years, with a particular focus on 2025
• Impact of work on society
• Commitment to sustainability

The first time you click on a link to an RSUA Architecture Awards entry form, you will be prompted to verify your email address. A verification code will be sent to that email address. This will create an account.

You can then use this account for anyone in your practice who wishes to update or edit a submission.

Each new device that accesses a link must log in using the same email address to allow this. Each time a new device is added, a verification code will be sent to the central email address.

To save your entry, you must submit it. This also means at least one word must be entered into every required field (field with an asterisk). To edit your submission, click the outline of a person in the top right corner of your browser window, select ‘Past Submissions’ and select the submission you wish to edit. Submit again to save.

You will also receive an email when you submit your form with a link to edit the submission.

Submissions may be edited up until the closing date on 13 February 2026.

Entrants are required to submit the following images:

• a minimum of two  and up to five JPEG images of the project, exceeding 1000 pixels in width, and 700 pixels in height (max. file size is 10MB)
• up to five additional JPEG images showing existing buildings or site conditions before the project commenced (max. file size is 10MB)

Entrants must:

• identify one image as a hero image to be published, shared on RSUA’s platforms and shared with press if the project is shortlisted. The file name should be named HERO_project name_photography credit
• for best quality, we recommend these images are at least 300dpi and 2000 pixels in height/width
• name other image files using the following format: project name_image number_photography credit

• include a mixture of internal and external views within its context; wide shots, close-ups, and ideally the building in use
• upload each image as single image files, not composite boards – an exception to this rule would be to upload existing site images side by side which show the before and after of a refurb project, uploaded as one file
• convey the way in which the project relates to its context, as these images are used for judging purposes
• not include company logos or text on any images

Please bear in mind:

• RSUA will require confirmation that the relevant copyright owner of the photograph or other media submitted has licensed the right to use the photograph or other media of your scheme for all purposes related to RSUA Awards (in print, social, and digital media).
• photographers will always be credited on their images, so supplying us with the correct information on each photograph is essential

Entrants must also upload:

• a minimum of one and a maximum of six drawing files as JPEG format only (max file size is 2MB)

This should typically include:

• a location plan (showing the project in context, eg 1:1250)
• a site plan
• a ground floor plan (showing main access)
• a typical floor plan
• two sections

You may upload up to six separate files. These can be configured as one to two drawings per page, if necessary. Please bear in mind the jury will be reading the drawings on A4 pages and on screen, so landscape orientation is preferred if possible.

Round 1: Judging to create a shortlist

For a project to be shortlisted it must be something more than just a functional building designed with basic competence.

The application form provides space for entrants to articulate why their project should be shortlisted. This should explain the added value delivered and the impact of the architect on the project.

All projects will be visited by a panel member and each submission will then be considered by the full judging panel. These initial visits will take place between Monday 23 February 2026 and Friday 6 March 2026.

Round 2: Judging shortlisted projects

All shortlisted projects will be visited by at least two jury members. This visit will take place on 31 March or 1 April. The award-making decision will be taken by the full panel. It is possible to have more than one winner in each category and a project can be highly commended at the jury’s discretion.

In judging projects for awards, juries will assess them against the following ten criteria. Differences in project complexity, scale, budget and procurement method are acknowledged, and will be taken into account in the judging process. 

1. Is it skilfully composed, in plan, section and elevation? Does it possess exceptional qualities of form, scale, space, light and material? 
2. Does it show ambition, whether in its understanding of cultural continuity or its pursuit of invention? Does it respond to and support its context? 
3. How does the project meet or exceed the client’s brief and aspirations? Does it make a wider contribution to society? 
4. Does its form and construction reflect its required design life? Is it robust, flexible and adaptable? Is it carefully detailed and well made? 
5. Does it use appropriate construction materials and environmental technologies? 
6. Has it made good use of any existing structures on its site, either through the retention and reuse of fabric or the recycling of materials? 
7. Has the project taken effective steps to minimise its resource use, and does it contribute positively to biodiversity both on and off-site?  
8. Is it sympathetic and imaginative in its treatment of listed structures and in its response to historic contexts? 
9. Does the project meet the highest standards for inclusive accessibility? 
10. Does the project respond generously to the external environment? Does it enhance or create new public space and green infrastructure?  

All of them. It is important that we properly credit all architects involved in a project. We will normally reference an entry made by A2 Architects for example as ‘A2 Architects with B1 Architects’. However, please let us know if you have agreed a particular form of words with the other practices involved.

Yes. Just select more than one category on the form. RSUA reserves the right to only allow the project to proceed in one category. You will be informed if this is the case.

Just pick one. The Jury will have the discretion to move an entry from one category to a more appropriate category. You will be informed if this is proposed.

Yes, but in total a project can only be submitted into two different award years.

Yes, but in total a project can only be submitted into two different award years.

Yes, that is within the jury’s discretion. The jury may also identify a project as Highly Commended if it just misses out on an Award.

No, you’ll have to make a separate submission but with all the work done for the RIBA submission in December it should hopefully be an easy process to enter the RSUA Architecture Awards.

No, we are working in partnership with RIBA to avoid duplication. Whilst the Round 1 visit will be for RSUA only, the round 2 visit will be a joint RIBA and RSUA visit.

No, the project must have been completed by June 2025 to be considered for the 2026 Awards. Over the next few years we plan to bring that cut-off date closer to the launch of the Awards.

Sustainability submission: A written statement and key data if available. If data is not available, the incomplete data table will still be published as per the approach taken in Perspective Magazine.

Full team: Details of the other consultants in the design team and the contractor

Discretionary Awards: Option to provide a short paragraph to support your consideration for:

• Accessible and Inclusive Award
• Sustainability Award
• Project Architect Award
• Client Award

Between the shortlisted projects being announced and the Gala Evening.

Each chartered member of RSUA will be given the opportunity to vote. All shortlisted projects will be in the running.

All projects entered will be profiled on the RSUA website and via the RSUA’s social media channels.