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ASID National Awards: FOCUS Project Awards

Recognizing outstanding design projects that respond to challenges facing our world around health, equity, and sustainability in the built environment. The FOCUS Project Awards honor projects designed with intent for impact. Each category will have one winner per firm size. Merit recipients may be selected at the discretion of the jury.

Wellness FOCUS
Recognizing outstanding architectural and design projects that respond to the challenges facing our world in the built environment by promoting strategies around health and wellness.

Eligibility

Open to a project completed within the past two years. All projects submitted for 2024 must have been completed between January 1, 2022 and January 1, 2024.

Entry Fee

Entry Fee | $200

ASID Member Entry Fee | $100

Submission Requirements

Project Overview

Provide a general description of the project and client. (150 words)

Design Challenge

Describe the design challenge(s) of the project. (150 word maximum)  

Design Process

Describe the full design process your team used throughout the project to identify challenges, develop solutions and achieve desired goals. (300 word maximum)  

Design Solutions

What strategies did the team use to solve the design challenge(s). (300 word maximum)  

Supporting Materials

Upload images that visually support the design challenge, design process and solutions. Images can be uploaded in JPG, JPEG, PNG formats and cannot exceed 2MB.  

Client Statement

Provide a brief statement, including an approved quote for possible publication, from your client on how this project addressed their needs (250 word maximum).

Focus Statement

Describe how this project meets or exceeds excellence to promote holistic health by addressing at least three of the concepts below. (250 word maximum).   
Design has the power to benefit the holistic physical, mental and emotional well-being of occupants.

  • Evaluate material manufacturing and supply chains to eliminate substances detrimental to human health.  
  • Connect occupants to nature and provide access to restorative environments.
  • Improve indoor environmental quality.
  • Address prevalent health concerns for occupants and community members.
  • Include elements that create celebration of place.
  • Promote and provide education on healthy and active lifestyles.
  • Integrate beauty and delight. 

Products and Materials Disclosure

Where products and materials comprise a substantial portion (over 25%) of the project, submit manufacturer names and product line information for flooring, walls, millwork, ceilings, lighting, furnishings/casework, textiles, and other noteworthy materials. Provide as a PDF no larger than 2MB.

Visual Components

Images

Provide a minimum of five (5) and maximum of ten (10) images of the project. Images cannot include identifying firm information. Images can be accepted as JPG, JPEG, PNG and cannot exceed 2MB.

Plans and Drawings

Provide a minimum of one (1) and maximum of three (3) drawings, such as 2D sketches, diagrams, hand renderings, 3D computer-generated renderings, digital materials and/or storyboards. Composites are allowed. Do not exceed three (3) composites per drawing. Files cannot exceed 2MB.

 

Diversity FOCUS
Recognizing outstanding architectural and design projects that provide a framework and a call to action to advance design that addresses challenges facing our world around diversity, inclusion and belonging.

Eligibility

Open to a project completed within the past two years. All projects submitted for 2024 must have been completed between January 1, 2022 and January 1, 2024.

Entry Fee

Entry Fee | $200

ASID Member Entry Fee | $100

Submission Requirements

Project Overview

Provide a general description of the project and client. (150 words maximum) 

Design Challenge

Describe the design challenge(s) of the project. (150 word maximum)  

Design Process

Describe the full design process your team used throughout the project to identify challenges, develop solutions and achieve desired goals. (300 word maximum)  

Design Solutions

What strategies did the team use to solve the design challenge(s). (300 word maximum)  

Supporting Materials

Upload images that visually support the design challenge, design process and solutions. Images can be uploaded in JPG, JPEG, PNG formats and cannot exceed 2MB. 

Client Statement

Provide a brief statement, including an approved quote for possible publication, from your client on how this project addressed their needs (250 word maximum).

Focus Statement

Describe how this project meets or exceeds excellence to integrate diverse populations by addressing at least three of the concepts below. (250 word maximum).  
 
At its best, design is a process that engages diverse stakeholders and equally benefits people with different backgrounds and needs to achieve equitable outcomes. 

  • Include perspectives of underserved or underrepresented populations.
  • Evaluate material manufacturing supply chains to support ethical and sustainable production, while eliminating exploitative labor practices and unfair wages.
  • Create buildings that offer universal access for all occupants.
  • Educate occupants about the fair and equitable treatment of human, plant and animal life.
  • Address both social and economic factors to positively impact future occupants and society.
  • Understand how design can support neurodiversity.

Products and Materials Disclosure

Where products and materials comprise a substantial portion (over 25%) of the project, submit manufacturer names and product line information for flooring, walls, millwork, ceilings, lighting, furnishings/casework, textiles and other noteworthy materials. Provide as a PDF no larger than 2MB. 

Visual Components

Images

Provide a minimum of five (5) and maximum of ten (10) images of the project. Images cannot include identifying firm information. Images can be accepted as JPG, JPEG, PNG and cannot exceed 2MB.

Plans and Drawings

Provide a minimum of one (1) and maximum of three (3) drawings, such as 2D sketches, diagrams, hand renderings, 3D computer-generated renderings, digital materials and/or storyboards. Composites are allowed. Do not exceed three (3) composites per drawing. Files cannot exceed 2MB.

 

Community FOCUS
Recognizing outstanding architectural and design projects that provide a framework and a call to action to advance design towards a regenerative built environment that addresses challenges facing our world around community cohesion and resilience.

Eligibility

Open to a project completed within the past two years. All projects submitted for 2024 must have been completed between January 1, 2023 and January 1, 2024.

Entry Fee

Entry Fee | $200

ASID Member Entry Fee | $100

Submission Requirements

Project Overview

Provide a general description of the project and client. (150 words)  

Design Challenge

Describe the design challenge(s) of the project. (150 word maximum)  

Design Process

Describe the full design process your team used throughout the project to identify challenges, develop solutions and achieve desired goals. (300 word maximum)  

Design Solutions

What strategies did the team use to solve the design challenge(s). (300 word maximum)  

Supporting Materials

Upload images that visually support the design challenge, design process and solutions. Images can be uploaded in JPG, JPEG, PNG formats and cannot exceed 2MB.  

Client Statement

Provide a brief statement, including an approved quote for possible publication, from your client on how this project addressed their needs (250 word maximum).

Focus Statement

Describe how this project meets or exceeds excellence to foster community cohesion and resilience by addressing at least three of the concepts below. (250 word maximum).

Design presents the opportunity to connect the built environment and the community, create physical and social resilience, and promote engagement and harmony amongst diverse populations.

  • Create human scaled, pedestrian-friendly environments.
  • Build connections between people and strengthen community.
  • Foster physical resilience to support adaptation.
  • Foster social resilience, building trust and safety.
  • Invest in local economies to stimulate local economic growth and strengthen community ties.
  • Preserve and reflect positive traditions, culture, and values of the local community and culture. 

Products and Materials Disclosure

Where products and materials comprise a substantial portion (over 25%) of the project, submit manufacturer names and product line information for flooring, walls, millwork, ceilings, lighting, furnishings/casework, textiles and other noteworthy materials. Provide as a PDF no larger than 2MB.

Visual Components

Images

Provide a minimum of five (5) and maximum of ten (10) images of the project. Images cannot include identifying firm information. Images can be accepted as JPG, JPEG, PNG and cannot exceed 2MB.

Plans and Drawings

Provide a minimum of one (1) and maximum of three (3) drawings, such as 2D sketches, diagrams, hand renderings, 3D computer-generated renderings, digital materials and/or storyboards. Composites are allowed. Do not exceed three (3) composites per drawing. Files cannot exceed 2MB.

 

 

SUSTAINABILITY FOCUS
Recognizing outstanding architectural and design projects that provide a framework and a call to action to advance design towards a regenerative built environment that addresses challenges facing our world around climate and sustainability.

Eligibility

Open to a project completed within the past two years. All projects submitted for 2023 must have been completed between January 1, 2022 and January 1, 2024.

Entry Fee

Entry Fee | $200

ASID Member Entry Fee | $100

Submission Requirements

Project Overview

Provide a general description of the project and client. (150 words)

Design Challenge

Describe the design challenge(s) of the project. (150 word maximum)

Design Process

Describe the full design process your team used throughout the project to identify challenges, develop solutions and achieve desired goals. (300 word maximum)

Design Solutions

What strategies did the team use to solve the design challenge(s). (300 word maximum)

Supporting Materials

Upload images that visually support the design challenge, design process and solutions. Images can be uploaded in JPG, JPEG, PNG formats and cannot exceed 2MB. 

Client Statement

Provide a brief statement, including an approved quote for possible publication, from your client on how this project addressed their needs (250 word maximum).

Focus Statement: Eliminate and Sequester Emissions

Describe how this project meets or exceeds excellence to eliminate and sequester emissions by addressing at least three of the concepts below. (250 word maximum). 
 
Excellent design can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the use of fossil fuels to mitigate the effects of global climate change, improve public health, and maintain biodiversity. 

  • Circular economy.  
  • Passive design strategies.  
  • Renewable energy offset.  
  • Building operations.  
  • Specifying low carbon materials/carbon sequestering.  
  • Educate occupants about the performance and operation of building systems.  
  • Specifying energy efficient products.  

Focus Statement: Protect and Restore Ecosystems

Describe how this project meets or exceeds excellence to protect and restore ecosystems by addressing at least three of the concepts below. (250 word maximum). 
 
Excellent design can protect ecosystems from the negative impacts of development to prevent losses or degradation in natural habitats and resources, while reconnecting people to their natural environments.

  • Preserve, restore and regenerate natural habitats and resources to maintain ecosystem health and resiliency. 
  • Material re-use and reclamation to reduce raw material extraction.
  • Implement regenerative manufacturing processes and choose responsibly and ethically sourced materials.
  • Educate occupants about the built environment and its connection to the regional ecosystem.
  • Promote appreciation and awareness of natural environments.

Products and Materials Disclosure

Where products and materials comprise a substantial portion (over 25%) of the project, submit manufacturer names and product line information for flooring, walls, millwork, ceilings, lighting, furnishings/casework, textiles and other noteworthy materials. Provide as a PDF no larger than 2MB.

Visual Components

Images

Provide a minimum of five (5) and maximum of ten (10) images of the project. Images cannot include identifying firm information. Images can be accepted as JPG, JPEG, PNG and cannot exceed 2MB.

Plans and Drawings

Provide a minimum of one (1) and maximum of three (3) drawings, such as 2D sketches, diagrams, hand renderings, 3D computer-generated renderings, digital materials and/or storyboards. Composites are allowed. Do not exceed three (3) composites per drawing. Files cannot exceed 2MB.