International Architecture & Design Awards (IADA) 2027
Libraries, museums, theatres, schools, town halls and memorials are the buildings a community shares. The International Architecture & Design Awards (IADA) recognise public, cultural and civic architecture in a group of dedicated nominations, evaluated by an independent international jury. This page covers those nominations, how public buildings are judged, the IADA 2027 fees and deadlines and recent winners. For every other building type, see our general architecture awards page.
Why enter a public architecture award?
Public buildings are usually commissioned through competitions and public procurement, where evidence of quality matters. An independent award gives a cultural or civic building documented, third-party recognition that architects, municipalities and institutions can cite in future tenders, funding applications and communication with the public.
Each IADA winner receives a published winner page with the project description, images, design team and credits. Certificates, winner logos and graphic materials are available in the participant account, and a physical trophy can be ordered separately; it is optional. IADA is organised by Architecture & Design Community (ADC) and has run since 2019; IADA 2027 lists 19 disciplines and 640 nominations in total.
Public, cultural and civic nominations at IADA 2027
These nominations in the Architecture discipline cover buildings with a public, cultural or civic role. Choose the nomination that matches the principal use of the building. If a second nomination also fits, for example a library inside a cultural centre, you can add it; each additional nomination is paid separately.
| Nomination | Typical projects |
|---|---|
| Cultural & Arts Centers | Cultural centres, libraries, arts venues |
| Museum, Exhibition & Gallery Design | Museums, galleries, exhibition buildings |
| Theater, Concert Hall & Performing Arts Spaces | Theatres, concert halls, arenas for performance |
| Public Building & Civic Architecture | Town halls, community buildings, religious and civic buildings |
| Institutional & Government Buildings | Government offices, courts, parliaments, public agencies |
| Educational & Campus Design | Schools, universities, campus buildings |
| Healthcare & Medical Facility Design | Hospitals, clinics, care facilities |
| Memorials, Monuments & Landmarks | Memorials, monuments, landmark structures |
| Transportation & Infrastructure Design | Bridges, stations and public infrastructure |
| Sports, Recreation & Wellness Facilities | Public sports and recreation buildings |
Interiors of public buildings can also be entered under Public Building & Institutional Interior Design in the Interior discipline, and proposals for public facilities under Institutional & Public Facilities in the Conceptual discipline. Compare all options on the IADA categories and nominations page.
Built public buildings and concepts
IADA accepts both completed buildings and unbuilt concepts, such as competition entries for museums or civic centres, and the project status is shown on each winner page. The winners below are all completed buildings; for unbuilt work, see our page on conceptual architecture awards. Participants enter as professionals or as students; students are judged by the same jury against the same criteria and receive a 50% discount on everything except trophies.
IADA 2027 fees and deadlines
The entry fee depends on the registration period. The fee for the first project includes one nomination; each additional nomination for the same project costs less.
| Registration period | Register by | First project | Each additional nomination |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Bird | 13 November 2026 | $140 | $90 |
| Advance | 18 December 2026 | $170 | $110 |
| Standard | 29 January 2027 | $200 | $130 |
| Extended | 5 February 2027 | $230 | $150 |
| Late | 9 April 2027 | $260 | $170 |
- Project submission deadline: 12 April 2027
- Winners announced: 14 May 2027
- Students: 50% discount on entry fees
Registration and project submission have separate deadlines. Full details are on the entry fees and deadlines pages.
How public and cultural buildings are judged
Each member of the jury evaluates every project in its nomination against three criteria:
- Innovation & Originality: the strength of the architectural idea and its response to the public brief.
- Design & Aesthetic Quality: composition, materials, light and the quality of detailing.
- Functionality & Spatial Integration: how the building serves its visitors and users and how it relates to its urban or landscape setting.
The jury scores each entry against these published criteria and the scores are averaged. The highest-ranked projects receive Platinum, Gold, Silver or Bronze awards, and Honourable Mentions may also be given. Meet the jury on the IADA jury page.
Recent IADA public and cultural architecture winners
Platinum and Gold winners from IADA 2026 in public, cultural, civic and educational nominations.
| Project | Studio | Country | Award | Nomination | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia County Building A | Goodwyn Mills Cawood | United States | Platinum, IADA 2026 | Institutional & Government Buildings | Completed / Built |
| Life Site NOKIRO | SIA inc. / Shinichi Ishida Architect | Japan | Platinum, IADA 2026 | Public Building & Civic Architecture | Completed / Built |
| Hiba Schahbaz: The Garden | MOCA North Miami | United States | Platinum, IADA 2026 | Museum, Exhibition & Gallery Design | Completed / Built |
| Sabiha ULUSOY Library | EROZU Mimarlik | Türkiye | Gold, IADA 2026 | Cultural & Arts Centers | Completed / Built |
| Kirchenstandort Witzhelden | Kastner Pichler Schorn Architekten | Germany | Gold, IADA 2026 | Public Building & Civic Architecture | Completed / Built |
| Um Bock School – Retrofitting with a purpose | Metaform Architects | Luxembourg | Gold, IADA 2026 | Educational & Campus Design | Completed / Built |
Browse more projects in the IADA winners archive.
Preparing a strong public building entry
Public buildings are judged not only as objects but as places people use. The presentation should show the building from the visitor’s point of view as well as the architect’s.
- Explain the public brief: who the building serves and what the community needed.
- Show the building in use, with people, and include plans that explain how visitors move through it.
- Describe how it relates to its surroundings: the square, the street or the landscape.
- State the project status (built or concept) and credit the full team, including the client or institution where appropriate.
Our guide How to enter IADA covers the materials you need and the order in which to prepare them.
How to enter IADA 2027 in four steps
- Create your participant account. Registration and submission are managed in your account.
- Register your project and pay the entry fee. Choose your public or cultural nomination and any additional nominations.
- Prepare your presentation. Project description, images and drawings; our guide How to enter IADA explains what to prepare.
- Submit before 12 April 2027. Winners are announced on 14 May 2027.
Public and cultural architecture awards FAQ
Which nomination fits a library or cultural centre?
Cultural & Arts Centers is intended for these buildings. Museums and galleries have their own nomination, Museum, Exhibition & Gallery Design.
Can a public building be entered by the client or municipality?
The entry should credit the design team. Check the participation terms, and make sure you have the rights to the images and project materials.
Can I enter an unbuilt competition design for a public building?
Yes. IADA accepts concepts as well as built projects. Select Concept as the project status when you register.
How much does it cost to enter IADA 2027?
In the current Early Bird period, until 13 November 2026, the first project costs $140 and each additional nomination $90. Fees increase with each registration period (see the fee table). Students receive a 50% discount on everything except trophies.
Who judges the entries?
An independent international jury. Each member scores projects against three published criteria, and the scores are averaged. See the IADA jury.
When are the IADA 2027 winners announced?
On 14 May 2027. The project submission deadline is 12 April 2027.
Ready to enter your public building?
Early Bird registration for IADA 2027 is open until 13 November 2026: $140 for the first project. Register early: fees increase with each period.