A unique opportunity for designers and architects to receive the international acknowledgement that their exceptional work deserves

The AZ Awards offer a unique opportunity for architecture and design professionals and students to showcase their work to the world and receive global recognition. The introduction of the all-new Tech Products category – wearables, gadgets, smart-home, and other technological design products – and it has also the return of the much anticipated AZ Awards Gala.

The AZ Awards jury of internationally renowned practitioners in the areas of product design, architecture, landscape architecture, and interiors will convene in March to evaluate all entries. Winners and finalists will be celebrated at the AZ Awards Gala in Toronto in June in the company of local and international industry professionals, and will be published online and in the print and digital editions of the July / August issue of AZURE – the AZ Awards Annual. Past winners and shortlisted projects can be viewed here, by year and by category. Azure and its partners encourage design and architecture professionals, developers, urban planners, students, and manufacturers to submit their work to the AZ Awards for an opportunity to step into the global spotlight, elevate their profile, and raise public awareness for their firm and their clients. Projects, products, and concepts can be submitted here.

2023 Key Dates

• Competition opens : January 3
• Early bird deadline : January 31
• Competition closes : February 24
• Finalists announced : April 20
• People’s Choice voting closes : May 19

Eligibility

• Designers and design firms from all disciplines
• Architects, landscape architects, and architectural firms
• Developers
• Post-secondary students enrolled in design and architecture programs in 2022
• Clients and manufacturers
• Projects must be completed on or before December 31, 2022
• Products must be prototyped or in production
• Concepts must have been developed or presented for the first time in 2022

The categories

• Architecture: Residential buildings; commercial and institutional buildings over 1,000 square metres; commercial and institutional buildings under 1,000 square metres; temporary and demonstration projects; adaptive re-use
• Landscape Architecture: Public and private landscapes
• Urban Design: Built and unbuilt multi-building development projects (commercial, residential, or mixed-use); infrastructure; urban interventions
• Interiors: Residential spaces; commercial and institutional spaces
• Design: Single-piece furniture; furniture systems and collections; lighting fixtures; lighting schemes; interior products; architectural products; NEW: tech products
• Experiential Graphic Design: Wayfinding; sign programs; information and map design; experiential brand identity
• Concepts: Unbuilt competition entries and proposals; concepts / prototypes
• A+ Award: Projects developed by a student enrolled in a post-secondary design or architecture program in 2022. The winner will receive a $5,000 cash prize

All entries may be considered for the Social Good Award and / or the Environmental Leadership Award by election. A winner in each of these two categories will be selected. Projects may be entered in one or both categories.

Social Good Award

The projects must advance social equity and have a positive impact on the collective realm.

Environmental Leadership Award

The projects must show sensitivity and respect for the use and management of natural resources throughout their lifecycle, especially with respect to materials and energy use.

About the AZ Awards

The AZ Awards is AZURE’s international architecture and design competition recognizing excellence and innovation, and showcasing the world’s best projects, products and ideas.