An architect should strike a perfect balance between creative expression and functionality; architecture is taking the intended project use, such as the lifestyle and preferences of the occupants, then shaping these, translating and executing until a final form is achieved, based on the times, beliefs, and education. Architectural design is one of our species’ oldest creative sciences, whose roots are lost deep in prehistory — and today’s architects continue to build upon thousands of years of innovation and creativity.
However, the importance of architecture can hardly be defined in just one paragraph — its effect on our lives is a causal sequence, like falling dominoes, cascading through every aspect of our lives.
Through BLT Built Design Awards – Architectural Design, we recognize the undeniable impact architecture has in our daily lives. With 22 categories, from Small Architecture to Landscape Design, or Skyscrapers to Sustainable and energy-saving buildings, the award gives credit to the important contributions of passionate architects, inviting entries from around the globe.
The Architectural Design of the Year category is an aesthetically impressive project, showing clear evidence that the many challenges of today’s world are taken into consideration. These challenges include the demands of increasing populations, creating a sustainable ecosystem for smart cities, continuing and rapid urbanization, and unprecedented climate crises.
Students and young designers are also encouraged to apply for a chance to be awarded the title of Emerging Architect of the Year. This prize is awarded to the student who has demonstrated a new vision and extensive devotion to architecture.
The Architectural Design of the Year and Emerging Architect of the Year winning projects will be showcased to a global audience, be featured in the BLT book, and be allowed to share more of their vision and project in winner’s interviews. They will also receive the BLT Built Design Awards trophy, enjoying continued and extensive publicity throughout the year, in addition to:
Entries can be submitted as conceptual designs, in progress, or as completed projects. The only restriction is that entries or completed projects must be no more than five years old.
Entries should include images of each side of the building or environment along with the contextual surroundings. Please include floor and small-scale site plans showing the project in its context. Where a project is a group of buildings, entrants should provide a rendering that illustrates the complete project. If the entry concerns an alteration or restoration, please include both before and after images.
Submissions can be made as a professional or as a student. Winners are chosen based on a single project – not for a body of work.
The BLT Built Design Awards are open to anyone aged 18+ residing anywhere in the world. Professional entries will be judged against other professionals and student entries against other students.
For more information please check the FAQ page or download the BLT Awards Entry Guide 2025.
The evaluation process for entries to the BLT Built Design Awards is based on various judging criteria. These are constantly adapted and updated, in response to new technical, social, economic, and ecological requirements. The criteria are not comprehensive and not all criteria are applied to each project, they simply provide an orientation framework and basis for judging — which is complemented by each individual juror’s expertise and socio-cultural background.
Each member of the jury is passionately committed to providing a fair evaluation. Jury members are assigned categories based on their specific backgrounds and expertise. All projects are viewed and judged randomly and anonymously, in order to ensure unbiased and fair judging.
The judging criteria include the following:
The BLT Built Design Awards scores projects between 10-100 points.
No Further Fees: Unlike some other design awards and competitions, there are no further fees for winning the award: Everything listed in the winner’s benefits will be provided free of charge.
