Excelsior Awards

The submission period for the 2026 AIA NYS Excelsior Awards is open!
The submission period for the 2026 Professional Service Awards is open!

The AIANYS Excelsior Awards program shines a spotlight on excellence in publicly funded buildings, outdoor spaces, and public art across the state, as well as the professionals who champion them. Recognizing outstanding projects in categories such as Historic Preservation, Landscape Architecture, New Construction, and Renovation/Addition, the awards underscore the importance of design integrity, functionality, and community impact. Over the past 10 years, more than 100 projects statewide have received this esteemed recognition.

As part of the Excelsior Awards Program AIANYS recognizes outstanding professionals who have made an impact in design excellence and public architecture through the Professional Service Awards.

The AIA New York State Excelsior Award for Public Awareness of Architecture
This award recognizes public officials or individuals who have furthered the public’s awareness or appreciation of design excellence in public architecture.

The AIA New York State Excelsior Award for Design Excellence By a Public Architect
This award recognizes licensed architects employed in the public sector in New York State whose work on projects within their jurisdiction has furthered the cause of design excellence in public architecture.

The AIA New York State Excelsior Award for a Private Sector Architect
This award recognizes an AIA member and practicing in the private sector who have made significant contributions to the quality of NYS Public Architecture and who have established a portfolio of accomplishments to that end.

Take a look at past Excelsior Award winning projects:

Merit Award:
New York State Capitol Building

Photo Credit: Courtesy of
Bell & Spina, Architects-Engineers, PC

Honor Award:
Shirley A. Chisholm State Office Building

Photo Credit:
Shirley A. Chisholm State Office Building – CTA Architects P.C.

Citation Award:
HELP ONE Buildings A+B

Photo Credit:
Inessa Binenbaum