The American Institute of Architects (AIA) celebrated architectural excellence at its 2025 Conference on Architecture & Design in Boston, recognizing projects that redefine the built environment through innovation, sustainability, and social impact. The AIA Architecture Awards 2025, along with the COTE Top Ten Awards, highlighted groundbreaking achievements in housing, civic spaces, education, and cultural facilities.
AIA President Evelyn Lee remarked, “Great architecture is not just about buildings; it is about creating spaces that uplift, connect, and inspire. These winners exemplify how thoughtful design can improve lives and shape a better future for all.”
Notable Winners and Highlights
11 Noho Mixed-Use Housing | Brooks + Scarpa | Hollywood, California
A pioneering model of inclusionary housing, this project integrates affordable and market-rate units in a single development, promoting equitable access to the vibrant NOHO Arts District.
Damen Green Line Station | Perkins&Will | Chicago, Illinois
Marking the return of elevated train service to Chicago’s West Side after 75 years, this transparent, community-centered station reconnects neighborhoods through thoughtful urban design and public art.
Kresge College Expansion | Studio Gang, TEF Design | Santa Cruz, California
Nestled in a redwood forest, this expansion of the University of California, Santa Cruz revitalizes a 1970s campus with accessible, student-driven architecture, blending nature and education seamlessly.
RIDC Mill 19 | MSR Design, R3A Architecture | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Transforming the ruins of a historic steel mill, Mill 19 reimagines industrial heritage for the robotics age, offering 263,200 square feet of workspace for Carnegie Mellon University’s Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing Institute.
Seattle Ferry Terminal at Colman Dock | NBBJ | Seattle, Washington
Replacing the old Colman Dock, this civic landmark reconnects downtown Seattle with its waterfront, serving nine million annual commuters while symbolizing urban renewal and inclusivity.
Shanghai Astronomy Museum | Ennead Architects | Shanghai, China
The 420,000-square-foot museum translates the motion of the cosmos into architectural form, creating a monumental space that fuses art, science, and cosmic wonder.
The Rose Apartments | Brooks + Scarpa | Venice, California
Providing shelter for young adults aging out of foster care, this project redefines supportive housing with a secure, open, and community-oriented design inspired by Southern California’s courtyard tradition.
A Global Celebration of Design
The AIA’s 11 award programs also honored achievements in healthcare, education, interiors, small projects, and urban design, reinforcing architecture’s evolving role in shaping inclusive, sustainable societies.
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