Built to Inspire

Architectural awards do more than recognize great design; they help shape the future of our communities. By highlighting projects that tackle urgent issues like climate change, equity, and resilience, these awards encourage architects to think creatively. In a state as large and diverse as Texas, design awards are especially important. They showcase the wide range of talent across the state and raise the overall quality and visibility of architecture.

The Texas Society of Architects’ Design Awards program honors exceptional contemporary design across all scales, styles, budgets, and building types—from new construction and adaptive reuse to restoration and urban design—highlighting the full spectrum of architectural innovation. Winning projects must demonstrate a positive impact on individuals and communities, meet client goals, and embody sustainability, while demonstrating how thoughtfully designed spaces can enrich daily life.

Each submission must also align with the AIA Framework for Design Excellence, a set of 10 guiding principles that promote a zero-carbon, resilient, and inclusive built environment. The framework serves as a blueprint for what architecture can and should achieve in the modern era. Its principles—ranging from designing for ecosystems and energy to promoting well-being and discovery—challenge architects to create spaces that are not only beautiful and functional but also socially and environmentally responsible. Through the Common App questionnaire, architects articulate how their designs integrate sustainability, equity, and adaptability, reinforcing the profession’s commitment to responsible and forward-thinking design.

With architecture contributing nearly 40 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, the framework urges the profession to lead climate action through thoughtful design. Every project is an opportunity to test new strategies, apply lessons learned, and contribute to a healthier, more equitable future. 

For the 2025 Design Awards, the Society’s volunteer committee, made up of members from across the state, began narrowing down potential jurors nearly a year in advance. Jury selection is a collaborative and transparent effort, where prominent, highly qualified figures of the architectural design field are carefully selected. The jurors, either practicing professionals and/or academics, are chosen not only for geographic location but also to bring gender and ethnic diversity to the deliberations, encouraging a broader spectrum of design considerations .

This year’s jury included four nationally and internationally recognized architects: Tom Kundig, FAIA, of Olson Kundig Architects in Seattle; Barbara Bestor, FAIA, of Bestor Architecture in Los Angeles; Víctor Legorreta, Hon. FAIA, of LEGORRETA in Mexico City; and Germane Barnes, RA, of Studio Barnes in Miami. Each juror brought unique experiences and insights, creating deliberations that were engaging and lively.

The jurors received copies of all 194 entries ahead of deliberations and were asked to review each submission independently and provide initial recommendations. The deliberations took place in person on April 10 and 11, 2025, when all four jurors and the Design Awards Committee convened at the Texas Society of Architects’ office in Austin.

As in previous years, the jury’s focus remained solely on the merit of each design. There were no predefined categories, restrictions on the selection process, or cap on the number of awards granted. The jury developed its own approach to evaluation, allowing for a flexible and thoughtful review. Considerations included a project’s ability to demonstrate design excellence, a strong sense of place and purpose, environmental responsibility, and respect for historical context. All submissions were presented anonymously, and any inquiries were addressed exclusively through the submitted materials.

As a committee member, watching the jury’s deliberations unfold is both captivating and rewarding. Sworn to silence, we observe from a quiet vantage point as jurors thoughtfully craft their own approach to evaluating submissions with fairness and integrity. Over two days, jurors build trust and camaraderie, laying the foundation for a collaborative and open process. Witnessing their decision-making is enriching and educational, culminating in inspiring project selections.

Ultimately, 19 projects from 17 firms were recognized with awards (two firms receiving two each). Awarded project types included seven single-family residential designs, two multifamily residential, three educational, four commercial, two civic, and one recreation center. The projects were located throughout the state and beyond: six in Austin, two in Dallas, two in Houston, two in El Paso, two in San Antonio, one in Belton, one in Georgetown, one in Round Rock, and two outside the state—one in Shreveport, Louisiana, and one in San Jose del Cabo, Baja California Sur, Mexico.

This year’s jury selections reveal not only the exceptional quality of work recognized but also the depth and diversity of architectural talent across Texas. The awarded projects span a wide range of types, firm sizes, geographic locations, and design philosophies, together forming a vibrant tapestry of thoughtful, well-executed design. This pluralism underscores the strength of our architectural community and the potential of our discipline to shape meaningful, sustainable environments. Each award serves as both a celebration and a challenge: it invites us all to elevate our own work and reaffirms architecture’s vital role in creating a more equitable built world. In the words of distinguished juror Tom Kundig, FAIA: “I am consistently impressed with the quality of architecture that is being done in Texas, on all levels. It’s a difficult decision-making process because all of the work is so strong.”

At its heart, the Design Awards foster a culture of growth and innovation within the architectural community. They strengthen client relationships, boost team morale, and provide emerging architects with visibility and mentorship opportunities. For the public, these honors offer a window into the transformative power of architecture and its potential to create vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable communities. By celebrating excellence in design, the Texas Society of Architects reinforces the state’s leadership in innovation and reminds us that great architecture is not only built but should be recognized, shared, and celebrated for its lasting impact.