For over 40 years, the AAA awards (previously Visionary Architecture awards) have been an independent, volunteer-run and non-profit organisation celebrating design cross Aotearoa New Zealand. 

Featuring new panel of judges every year, the entries are judged online anonymously to create a shortlist of finalist eligeable for exhibition. 

This year, the Auckland Architecture Association have updated the categories which are open to amateurs, students and professionals to enter. Winners are announced at the AAA Design Awards function, following a public talk by committee members, sponsors and judges.

The stegories are: 

Craft Object Award

The Craft Object Award celebrates the built form from furniture, scultpures and  cutlery, to larger built forms that did not require resource/building consents such as pergolas and follies (represented as either a scale model or within a 2D medium).

First prize: $100, certificate and trophy.
*Best student prize: $50 and a certificate.
Highly commended prize: A certificate.

Peripheral Media Award

The Peripheral Media Award recognises design within the 2D and virtual realms. It does not require a built form and is more about the representation of design. It is also open to written, performative, or moving image work.

Projects in this category may be speculative, may or may not have a ‘real’ site or client, and are not confined to Tāmaki Makaurau.

First prize: $100, certificate and trophy.
*Best student prize: $50 and a certificate.
Highly commended prize: A certificate.

Unbuilt Design Award

This award seeks unbuilt projects hidden within the archives of designers and practices throughout Tāmaki Makaurau. These are projects which would have been impactful or innovative, but did not continue due to fiscal, social, regulatory or other external constraints. These projects should ignite conversations within the community, and they could have a ‘real’ site or client, or be completely speculative.

First prize: $100, certificate and trophy.
*Best student prize: $50 and a certificate.
Highly commended prize: A certificate.

Emerging Practice Award

This award seeks to recognise emerging practices and practitioners, those who have set up within the last 10 years. We welcome innovative projects that push boundaries and those with exceptional attention to detail. Submissions may include images/drawings from a range of projects, or focus on one in particular.

First prize: $100, certificate and trophy.
Highly commended prize: A certificate.

Overall Winner: Visionary Award

In a call back to awards history, the Visionary Award goes to the judges’ overall favourite project. This award will favour radical, unique and unusual projects.

Prize: Certificate and trophy

*If the best student project is also awarded the first place or highly commended, they will collect both prizes.