Creative Design Projects by Diverse Chicago Firms of all Sizes to be Celebrated at AIA Chicago Signature Design Awards and Flagship Event, Designight 2024
Ticket on sale now for September 5th event celebrating Chicago architects’ global design achievements; Public to vote for People’s Choice “best of” design awards
July 23, 2024) CHICAGO – AIA Chicago, the second largest local chapter of The American Institute of Architects and the collective voice of over 4,000 licensed architects, emerging professionals, architecture students, and allied professionals, today announced that the Designight 2024 award submissions represented the highest number of projects in the past five years. Notably, this year nearly half of the projects submitted came from smaller firms of 30 persons or fewer. All firms submitting to the Design Excellence Awards were required to be signatories of the AIA 2030 Commitment, a national voluntary initiative promoting the design of carbon neutral buildings by 2030.
Tickets are now on sale for Designight 2024, honoring Chicago architects’ global design achievements, which will be held at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Millennium Park on Thursday, September 5, 2024.
Designight 2024 is a ticketed event where everyone is welcome; all firms, clients, consultants, partners, friends, and family—and all Chicagoans with a penchant for great architectural design. The award program includes the third annual Lerch Bates People’s Choice Awards—presented in partnership with the Chicago Architecture Center and chosen by the public which will be announced live along with the juried awards. Finalists for the juried awards, chosen by jurors from firm submissions, and the Lerch Bates People’s Choice Awards, chosen by docents of the Chicago Architecture Center, will be announced in August along with information on how the public can vote for their favorite designs.
“The 2024 submissions show that design excellence emerges from firms of all sizes” said AIA Chicago’s Executive Director Jen Masengarb. “Nearly 47% of the award submissions this year came from smaller firms of 30 or fewer employees. And Chicago firms are exporting innovative design across the country and around the world with one third of the finalist projects located outside of the Chicago region.”
The Design Excellence Awards recognize projects of all scales, from Architecture Extra Small to Extra Large, and Interior Architecture Small to Large. In addition to the Design Excellence Awards, separate awards, chosen by additional juries/committees, will be given for Lifetime Achievement Award, the Decarbonization Award, the Divine Detail Awards and the Roberta Feldman Architecture for Social Justice Award which is administered by the AIA Chicago Foundation. Designight 2024 will also feature the third annual Lerch Bates People’s Choice Awards presented in partnership with the Chicago Architecture Center.
“The 2024 jury is a testament to the depth and breadth of our profession,” said AIA Chicago President Lynda Dossey, AIA, Principal, Jahn. “This incredibly talented group brings together diverse perspectives and expertise in project typologies and scales speaking to the rigor of our awards.”
The recipients of The Roberta Feldman Architecture for Social Justice Award, administered by the AIA Chicago Foundation and named for Roberta Feldman, Ph.D, Professor Emerita at the University of Illinois Chicago, School of Architecture, and an architectural activist and researcher, will also be presented at Designight 2024.
“Now in its fifth year, the Roberta Feldman Architecture for Social Justice Award has shown the city of Chicago and architects worldwide that good design is for everyone.” said AIA Chicago Foundation President Christopher E. Chwedyk, AIA, Director, the Code Group. “We are looking forward to seeing the recipient of this year’s award.”
The Design Excellence Awards, Decarbonization Award, and Roberta Feldman Architecture for Social Justice Award juries of 20 international national design experts include:
Design Excellence Awards & Divine Details Awards
Jury A reviews Architecture Extra Small and Small; Interior Architecture Small and Medium; and Divine Detail
The Lifetime Achievement Award is nominated by the AIA Chicago general membership, reviewed by a committee of Fellows and previous Lifetime Achievement Award winners, and selected by the AIA Chicago Board of Directors. Previous recipients include Cynthia Weese, FAIA (2023), Ralph Johnson, FAIA, LEED AP (2022) Stuart Cohen, FAIA (2021); Phillip C. Johnson, FAIA (2020); John Syversten, FAIA (2019); Peter Landon, FAIA (2018); Carol Ross Barney, FAIA (2017) among many others.The 2024 recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award will be announced in August.
Designight 2024
Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Millennium Park
205 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601
Thursday, September 5, 2024
6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. with After Party to follow
To purchase Award Ceremony tickets beginning July 23 call or visit:
Harris Theater Box Office: (312) 334 7777;
Harris Theater Website: https://www.harristheaterchicago.org/performance/designight-2024
Harris Theater Address: 205 East Randolph Drive
Theater rental and services have been underwritten through support of the Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Millennium Park.
To purchase After Party tickets beginning July 23 visit: https://aiachicago.org/designight2024/
About AIA Chicago
The American Institute of Architects Chicago (AIA Chicago) serves nearly 4,000 architect members in Chicago and is the second largest local AIA chapter in the country. AIA Chicago’s mission builds on the city’s architectural legacy by advocating for the profession, sharing knowledge among members, and partnering with communities. It fosters a culture of design excellence for equitable, sustainable places and spaces.
AIA Chicago offers lectures and continuing education courses; specialized, issue-specific Knowledge Communities; advocacy for architects; and help for consumers looking for an architect.
AIA Chicago is the local Chicago chapter of The American Institute of Architects. Based in Washington, D.C., The AIA has been the leading professional membership association for licensed architects, emerging professionals, and allied partners since 1869. Learn more by visiting www.aiachicago.org.
