Details

Competition Details

Eligibility

The 2027 AZ Awards is open to:

• • Designers and design firms from all disciplines

• • Architects, landscape architects and architectural firms

• • Urban designers and developers

• • Post-secondary students enrolled in design and architecture programs in 2026

• • Clients and manufacturers

• • Products must be prototyped or in production

• • The completion date of projects should be within the past three years, i.e. anytime between November 1, 2023 and December 31, 2026.

Guidelines

• • Entries must be submitted and received via the online entry system by 11:59 pm EST on Friday, February 26, 2027.

• • Full payment must be received by the submission deadline. Entries submitted without the appropriate submission fee will not be eligible for judging. Payments are only accepted online.

• • Images must be jpg or tiff format, in print-quality resolution (at least 300 dpi)

General Terms and Conditions

• • All information and requested materials must be provided by the deadline or the submission will be disqualified without notice or return of payment.

• • No refunds will be issued under any circumstances.

• • Works are excluded from the competition if their presentation would infringe a right.

• • The entrant authorizes Azure Publishing Inc. (“AZURE”) to publish the submission in the print edition of AZURE Magazine, on azuremagazine. com, on AZURE’s social media channels and on any online platforms affiliated with the AZ Awards competition. The submission may be reproduced, in whole or in part, for editorial and promotional purposes.

• • By entering the AZ Awards the submitter grants AZURE Publishing Inc. (“AZURE”) a royalty-free, transferable worldwide right to use and publish in print, online and on social media, all entries and their corresponding photographs and videos, as well as any photos and/or videos of the submitter and their team members. The submitter also grants AZURE a royalty-free right to share the said entries, photographs and videos with AZURE’s international partners who would be posting news about the AZ Awards on their website, newsletter and social channels.

• • If the photography/videography rights are owned by a party other than the submitter, the submitter must obtain copyright permission on behalf of Azure Publishing Inc. (“AZURE”). When entering the AZ Awards, the submitter indemnifies and holds harmless AZURE Publishing Inc. (“AZURE”) and its partners against any claims or causes of action that would allege that the use of the submitter’s entries, photos and videos by AZURE and/or AZURE’s partners’ violates a third party’s intellectual property rights.

Submission Specs

• • Images: You may submit up to 30 images and/or drawings/renderings in jpg format, at least 300 dpi. If submitting a rendering or an image generated using AI, please ensure that this is clearly indicated in the file name. Make sure to credit the photographer. When submitting images from multiple photographers, include the photographer’s name in the file name. 

• • Video: Entrants are encouraged to share videos of their work that help to communicate the project. It is preferred if the video is shared via web link (e.g. YouTube, Vimeo), but we will accept direct uploads in .mov, .mp4 or mpg format with a file size less than 1 GB. NOTE: Images and videos are primarily for the jurors to get a better representation and thorough understanding of your projects. If there are any images or videos that should not be published – should your entry be shortlisted – make sure to add DO NOT PUBLISH in the image/video file name. 

• • Project name: Indicate the name that represents your project/product and that should be used when referring to your project/product. 

• • Project description: Include objectives and how they were met, design challenges, technological and/or material innovations, social and environmental impact. 

• • Project specs: Indicate dimensions, materials, fabrication techniques, manufacturing process. 

Fees

Early Bird Fees: For entries submitted by Friday, December 11, 2026 at
11:59 pm EST

• • A+ Award for Student Work: $40 per submission

• • All other categories: $260 for the first submission, $235 for each additional entry

Regular Fees: Entries submitted after the Early Bird deadline

• • A+ Award for Student Work: $50 per submission

• • All other categories: $285 for the first submission, $250 for each additional entry

Add-On Fees

• • People’s Choice: $50 per entry

• • Outstanding Firm: $50 per entry

Each entry includes a 1-year digital subscription to AZURE Magazine, valued at $28.95 CAD.

Full payment must be received by the submission deadline. Entries submitted without the appropriate submission fee will not be eligible for judging. Payments are only accepted online.

All submission fees are in USD.

People’s Choice

All entries that opt into People’s Choice will take part in a public voting period decided by the general public. Entrants that opt into People’s Choice will receive assets to help promote their entry. People’s Choice winners will receive an invitation to the Winner’s Celebration and an honorary medallion.

Outstanding Firm

This newly inaugurated AZ Award recognizes a firm that has produced consistently exceptional over the past few years, whether in architecture, landscape or interiors. All entries that opt into Outstanding Firm will have the opportunity to take home this special award decided by the AZ Awards judges.

Judging Criteria

Each project is evaluated on its own merits according to the following four criteria:

• • Aesthetics – Is the design contemporary, visually and intellectually stimulating? Does it provoke curiosity, have the capacity to uplift spirits or simply delight?

• • Function – How well does it serve its intended use? Does it effectively resolve problems?

• • Creativity –  Does it incorporate a unique approach, use a new medium or materials? Is it technologically innovative, forward-looking?

• • Social and Environmental Responsibility –  Does it make respectful use of materials and resources? Does it possess a long life span? Does it contain recycled materials and/or can it be recycled? Does it provide a social benefit?

Jury Process

Each year, the AZ Awards receives hundreds of submissions from around the world. We are thrilled to accept inspiring entries in all our categories.

Soon after the competition deadline, our editorial team reviews ALL submissions in a multi-day series of sessions with local A&D experts. These sessions result in a longlist.

This longlist is then presented to our official jury. With every edition, the AZ Awards convenes an international jury made up of the world’s most renowned architects, landscape architects and designers. The jury convenes in March, reviews the longlist, selects the finalists, and designates the Winners.

For the 17th anniversary of the AZ Awards, Azure will publish the official jury’s shortlist of finalists in April 2027. The AZ Awards Winners and the People’s Choice favourites will be announced at our annual gala and in the Summer print edition of Azure as well as on our AZ Awards website.