BD+C editors seek your best building projects for 2025
2026 brings new beginnings and exciting news from Building Design+Construction. For the first time in nearly five years, BD+C editors are hosting a building design awards program for the U.S. AEC market.
The Elev8 Design Awards, co-hosted with our sister publication, BUILDINGS, recognize new construction and major renovation and historic preservation projects that raise the bar for design innovation, sustainability, social impact, and long-term performance in the built environment.
More specifically, the award judges (AEC/O professionals and editors from the two brands) are looking for projects that deliver strong architectural and interior design strategies and solutions; incorporate smart building technologies and resilient systems; advance sustainability, wellness, and social equity goals; and support efficient, reliable operations for owners and facility teams.
All submissions will be evaluated anonymously against eight key criteria:
- Aesthetics
- Innovation in design
- Functionality and accessibility
- Social impact
- Technology integration
- Sustainability
- Operational efficiency
- Wellness
If your firm has a recently completed commercial, institutional, industrial, or multifamily housing project that showcases exceptional results related to any one of these factors, consider submitting to the 2026 Elev8 Design Awards.
The jury will award citations across project types and performance in three tiers of recognition:
- Grand Prize Awards—Two top honors: one for new construction and one for historic renovation/adaptive reuse.
- Gold, Silver, and Bronze Citations—Additional standout projects in each category.
- Outstanding Designs—Projects that may not fit neatly within a category but exhibit exceptional design or performance qualities.
For more on the Elev8 Design Awards and to start your entry, visit
Elev8Awards.com and select “Enter The Awards.” From there, teams can complete the three-step online entry sequence before the December 12, 2025, deadline.
Please email me ([email protected]) with questions.