International Architecture & Design Awards (IADA) 2027
Airports, stations, bridges and transport hubs are among the most visible public buildings in any city. The International Architecture & Design Awards (IADA) recognise transportation and infrastructure architecture in dedicated nominations, evaluated by an independent international jury. This page covers those nominations, how infrastructure projects are judged, the IADA 2027 fees and deadlines and recent winners. For every other building type, see our general IADA architecture category page.
Why enter the transport and infrastructure buildings category of IADA?
Infrastructure projects are delivered by large teams over many years, and the architectural contribution can disappear behind engineering and budgets. An independent award gives the design documented, third-party recognition that architects and engineers can cite in future tenders and in communication with public clients.
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.
Transportation and infrastructure nominations at IADA 2027
Three nominations in the Architecture discipline cover transport buildings and infrastructure. Choose the nomination that matches the principal type of the project; each additional nomination is paid separately.
| Nomination | Discipline | Typical projects |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation & Infrastructure Design | Architecture | Stations, bridges, parking structures and other transport infrastructure |
| Airport, Train Station & Terminal Design | Architecture | Airports, railway and metro stations, bus and ferry terminals |
| Arches, Bridges, Viaducts & Gateways | Architecture | Bridges, viaducts and gateway structures |
Vehicles themselves, from trains to electric scooters, are entered in the Transportation discipline. Compare all options on the IADA categories and nominations page, and see our page on IADA urban design and master planning category for streets and public spaces.
Built projects and concepts
IADA accepts both completed projects and unbuilt concepts, and the project status is shown on each winner page. Recent winners include Techo International Airport in Cambodia, a completed Platinum winner, and Hamamelis / Smart Hydrogen Vertiport in Saudi Arabia, a Platinum winner presented as a concept. 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 transportation and infrastructure projects are judged
Each member of the jury evaluates every project in its nomination against three criteria:
- Innovation & Originality: the strength of the architectural idea within the technical brief.
- Design & Aesthetic Quality: structure, form, materials and the experience of passengers and users.
- Functionality & Spatial Integration: flows, orientation and how the project connects to the city and landscape.
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 transportation and infrastructure winners
Platinum and Gold winners from IADA 2025 and 2026 in transport and infrastructure nominations.
| Project | Studio | Country | Award | Nomination | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Techo International Airport | Foster + Partners | Cambodia | Platinum, IADA 2026 | Airport, Train Station & Terminal Design | Completed / Built |
| Terminal BTG Pactual | Perkins&Will and Pascali Sermedjian Arquitetos | Brazil | Platinum, IADA 2026 | Airport, Train Station & Terminal Design | Completed / Built |
| Naples Underground Central Station | Miralles Tagliabue - EMBT | Spain | Gold, IADA 2026 | Airport, Train Station & Terminal Design | Completed / Built |
| Robinson Bridge | SPECIÁLTERV Ltd. | Hungary | Gold, IADA 2026 | Transportation & Infrastructure Design | Completed / Built |
| Kansai International Airport Terminal 1 | Populous | Australia | Platinum, IADA 2025 | Airport, Train Station & Terminal Design | Completed |
| Hamamelis / Smart Hydrogen Vertiport | Giancarlo Zema Design Group | Saudi Arabia | Platinum, IADA 2025 | Transportation & Infrastructure Design | Concept |
Browse more projects in the IADA winners archive.
Preparing a strong infrastructure entry
Infrastructure is experienced in movement. The presentation should explain how people arrive, orient themselves and move through the project.
- Explain the brief: capacity, the transport systems involved and the site constraints.
- Include plans and sections that show passenger flows and levels.
- Show how structure and materials shape the experience, not only the exterior view.
- State the project status (built or concept) and credit the full team, including engineers.
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 transportation or infrastructure 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.
IADA transport and infrastructure buildings category FAQ
Which nomination fits an airport or railway station?
Airport, Train Station & Terminal Design in the Architecture discipline.
Where do I enter a bridge?
Arches, Bridges, Viaducts & Gateways, or Transportation & Infrastructure Design if the bridge is part of a wider transport project.
Can I enter an infrastructure project that is not built yet?
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 transport project?
Early Bird registration for IADA 2027 is open until 13 November 2026: $140 for the first project. Register early: fees increase with each period.