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Do you have an innovative and sustainable product you would like to showcase? We are looking for your best environmentally-friendly products to showcase at our annual conference!

This design competition celebrates the most recently developed building materials that are not only innovative and creative, but also sustainable and scalable. We invite designers, engineers, researchers, and material scientists to showcase groundbreaking materials that push the boundaries of what’s possible in architecture and construction.

Whether it’s a bio-based composite, a carbon-negative concrete, or a smart material that adapts to its environment, we’re looking for solutions that inspire, perform, and pave the way for a more resilient future.

Eligibility

The competition is open to all, including students and professionals in the fields of architecture, landscape architecture and engineering. 

Categories

Entries may be submitted in two categories:

• Built
• Unbuilt

Schedule

Registration Open: July 1, 2025

Submission Deadline:  August 22, 2025

Jury Deliberations:  September 5, 2025, Winners will not be notified prior to the Awards announcement below

Awards announced:  If selected, your product will be displayed throughout the duration of our 2025 DesignDC event.

Submission Requirements

Please upload a PDF (6 mg max) that describes the innovative sustainability features of your product, including but not limited to:

• Technical Datasheet
• Sustainability Impact Report
• Design Application Example (rendering, model, or case study)
• Links to video descriptions
• Other information as needed to describe the product 

Jury composition

The jury will be made up of AIA|DC board members and industry professionals focusing on sustainable product development.