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Tuesday 09 June 2026 - 12 to 1pm
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SUBMISSIONS OPEN:

Friday 01 May 2026 @ 9AM



ENTRY DEADLINE:

Friday 29 May 2026 @ 5PM

 SUBMIT YOUR PROJECT HERE



Gabh an sàs!

The 2026 HIAA Awards are now open!




Overview Held every two years, the HIAA Awards celebrate outstanding architecture across the Highlands and Islands region, recognising excellence at all scales and across all building types. 

The HIAA Awards are rigorous, reflecting the exceptional quality of work in a region shaped by extraordinary landscapes, rich heritage and protected environments. By evaluating projects completed over a two-year period, the HIAA Awards showcase the diversity, creativity and sustained excellence of architectural practice across the region.

This year, we will be recognising achievement not only through Project Awards for completed work, but also through two new Practitioner Awards that celebrate the contributions of individual practitioners. 

Winners will be announced at an Awards Ceremony at WASPS Inverness on Friday 13 November 2026.





01       Awards & Eligibility





 Our aim is to recognise excellence in architectural practice across the Highlands and Islands.

PROJECT AWARDS

Our Project Awards are open to all architects working within the HIAA region, regardless of where they are based. We welcome entries from all types of architectural projects. 

The Project Awards include:

  • HIAA Award -  awarded to projects located within the HIAA region that demonstrate architectural excellence with the following categories in mind:

                   - New building
                   - New life for an existing building
                   - Small project (up to £350k)
                   - Social benefit
                   - Place making
                   - Best use of local material (timber or stone)              
                   - Best value achieved for £/m2                  

  • HIAA Ambassador Award - awarded to a project located outside the HIAA region, completed by a HIAA member or practice.

  • HIAA Client of the Year - awarded to a Client who played a pivotal role in enabling architectural excellence through leadership, trust, and collaboration.

    • HIAA Project of the Year - awarded to the best overall project.  

    Project Awards - Eligibility

    All projects must:

    - be located in the HIAA region, with exception of the Ambassador Award which is open to projects outwith the region but completed by a HIAA member or practice.

    - have been completed between 31 January 2024 and 31 January 2026.

    - have an ARB-registered Architect as principal of the practice.

    - have client approval for submission.


    PRACTITIONER AWARDS

    This year, we are introducing two Special Awards to recognise individuals who have made a significant contribution to the architectural landscape of the HIAA region. We welcome nominations for the Special Awards from anyone - whether a family member, friend or professional colleague. 

    The Special Awards include: 

    • HIAA Young Architect of the Year - awarded to an early-career Architect (up to 10 years post completion of Part 2) working in the HIAA region who has demonstrated excellence, creativity and professional promise at an early stage of their career.

    • HIAA Bonn Mòr - awarded to an Architect who has made a lasting and significant contribution to the HIAA region. 

    Practitioner Awards - Eligibility

    All nominations must:

    - be an ARB-registered Architect registered in the HIAA region. 






    02       The Judging Process





     A panel of judges will assess all projects based on architectural excellence, and nominations on outstanding contribution.

    Judging decisions will be made based on the information submitted, so the clarity and quality of submissions are essential. The judges may choose to visit one or more projects in person, or appoint a local representative, selected by the panel and approved by the HIAA, to visit on their behalf. Where a visit is required, the Architect or Practice will be contacted to arrange suitable access. The decision to visit - or not visit - a project should not be interpreted as an indicated of whether an entry will receive an award. The judges’ decision will be final.

    Award winners will be announced at the ceremony on Friday 13 November at WASPS in Inverness. A trophy will be presented to each of the Project and Practitioner Awards. 





    03       What to Submit Please ensure that you have all the required information ready before starting the entry form. You may access the form as often as you wish prior to submission; however, it is not possible to save your progress and return to a partially completed form.

    To avoid losing your submission, we recommend preparing your responses in a Word document before copying them into the online form.

    To complete your submission, you will need:

    PROJECT AWARDS

    Cost:     £80 per project - bank account details provided in the form.

    • Practice Information: Name, ARB Number (or equivalent), Address, Telephone, Email

    • Project Information: Name, Address, Practical Completion Date, Construction Cost, Design Team

    • Key Consultants: ie. Main Contractor, QS, Structural, M&E, PM - anyone you would like to be credited: Name/Company, Address, Telephone, Email.

    • Client Information: Name/Company, Address, Telephone, Email

    • Project Images: 6 x high resolution photos (3MB max)

    • Project Location Plan: Drawing or Google Maps (3MB max)

    • Project Drawings/Models: Each entry must include six plans or other drawings in editable PDF or JPEG format (2MB each). Please feel free to submit any photos of models as well.

    • Project Summary: 150 words providing an overview of your project, written in third person.

    • Project Description: 350 words describing the project. Describe why the project is of exceptional architectural merit. Include details on the design, budget and timetable, how the project met the client’s brief, responded to the context and addresses sustainability.

    • Project Video (optional): Provide a short 2 minute video

    You can let us know in the form if any part of the information is confidential.

    Exhibition Poster: We will ask all entrants to provide us with an A1 poster featuring their entry. This will not form part of the judging process but will enable entries to be exhibited at the awards evening and seen by everyone attending. Full details, including a template and how to order, will be provided to all entrants in due course.

    PRACTITIONER AWARDS

    Cost:     Free - there is no cost to submit a nomination.

    • Practioner: Name and contact details (if known) of the person being nominated

    • Nomination: 350 words describing why the individual stands out from their peers and delivers all-round excellence that positiviely impacts the HIAA region.

    • Supporting Information: Up to 6 high resolution photos or drawings (3MB max) that help support your nomination.






    SUBMIT YOUR PROJECT HERE






    Any questions, please get in touch with
    Eilidh - president@hiaa.scot or Marcus - secretary@hiaa.scot
     2026 AWARDS OPEN 01 MAY @ 9AM    SUBMIT ENTRIES BY 29 MAY @ 5PM