IIDA WI CHAPTER
2025 CELEBRATE in DESIGN AWARDS
ELIGIBILITY & GENERAL INFORMATION

ELIGIBLILITY

The Celebrate in Design (CiD) competition is open to all IIDA Wisconsin chapter members in good standing.
Participants may be individuals or part of a design team engaged in the practice of design, but must be one of the individuals that worked on the project entered.
The project must have been completed after January 1st, 2023.
If the project has previously won an award from IIDA WI then it can not be resubmitted.
If a project has been submitted previously into CiD and not won in ANY category, then it can be resubmitted.
Comprehensive projects may be entered in only one (1) category. However, different rooms from the same project may be entered in multiple categories if they are not included/shown as part of the comprehensive project.
All entries must adhere to entry requirements and judging criteria. Failure to comply with these specifications will result in disqualification of entry and forfeiture of the entry fees.

REQUIREMENTS

(1) Project statement (pdf) - 1 page pdf (as long as it fits on on the 1 page PDF in reasonable size font (10 or 11)
- In your project statement include your overall concept ideas that were used to describe to the client what your design intent would be. Describe any details that you feel would be important to explain how you came to the final design and execution of that design. Project statement can include descriptions of how your design team/project team worked together with the client/GC or any other collaborations. ***Remember do not include your firm's name in this statement.
(1) Floorplan (pdf) - must be in PDF format but multiple pages are allowed in the 1 pdf document.
Minimum of (4) photos, maximum of (12) - (pdf or jpg/png - maximum 10MB per file)
No identification of designer or firm shall be included in the Project Statement. Entries failing to follow instructions will be disqualified.
No identification of designer or firm shall be visible on uploaded photography and/or drawings (including file names), including designer name / firm name and respective logos, trademarks, etc. Entries failing to follow instructions will be disqualified.
If the photos submitted do not have permission to be published by both the Photographer and the Owner, then the project cannot be entered.
Indicate the ONE image you would like to have published to represent your project should you receive an award by toggling the checkbox in the photo details to “select as entry cover photo.”

ENTRY PROCESS

All entries will be submitted online through this competition website. For instructions on how to use the site, please reference the supporting documents section.

ENTRY FEES,

$150 per entry is due online via credit card on this competition website. If you must pay by check please get in touch with the our coordinator, listed under the questions tab.

ENTRY DEADLINE

All entries, owner and photographer permission forms and photos with payment must be completed online and submitted to the competition website no later than 11:59 PM Central Time on Friday, January 31st.

CATEGORIES

Community + Culture : Family Service Centers, Liturgical, Libraries
Creative Element : A design element such as: custom furniture, ceiling element, artistic creation, brand/feature wall, custom light fixture, etc.
Furniture : Furniture dealers and firms encouraged to submit the furniture scope of a project *If project was a partnership with a design firm, dealer must submit with acknowledgement of lead designer or firm approval
Health + Wellness : Hospitals, Outpatient clinics, Medical Facilities, Fitness Centers, Spas (under 50,000 sqft | 50,000 - 99,999 sqft | over 100,000 sqft)
Home | Private
Home | Multi-unit
Hospitality | Lodging
Hospitality | Restaurants : including Bars and Cafes
Hospitality | Play : Conventions Centers, Recreational Facilities, Social Clubs
Learning | K-12
Learning | Higher Ed
Retail : Retail Stores, Boutiques, Showrooms, Pop-ups
Science + Tech : Pharmaceutical, Life Science, Research Environment, Aerospace
Senior Living
Workplace : Office space (under 10,000 sqft | 10,000 - 49,999 sqft | over 50,000 sqft)

JUDGING CRITERIA

Project concept statement clearly defines design concepts which are evident throughout the overall design.
Project successfully addresses design challenges and responds to client needs as outlined in the project concept statement.
Project demonstrates successful incorporation of materials and interior finishes into the overall design with consideration of environmental impact for materials and interior finishes selected.
Project implements design elements that contribute to overall design aesthetic while being code compliant. Elements that support the design concept include architectural details, lighting, and furnishings.
Project represents innovation and originality in design
Community & Culture only: Project clearly depicts design elements that support diversity, equity and inclusion.

Winners are determined by a jury of IIDA design professional members from outside the state of WI. (1) First Place may be given in each category, given the projects meet all criteria, scores, and the jury feels they are of appropriate design and caliber for an award. Honorable Mention award(s) may be given in each category for projects that meet minimum criteria, point scores, and the jury feels they are of appropriate caliber for recognition. (1) Best of Competition will be awarded for the project with the highest points value over all categories.

Note: Total points awarded by judges will determine the level of award given, judges reserve the right to determine the level of award given (per points calculated). The CiD committee reserves the right to adjust categories depending on final submissions and square footages.

AWARDS EVENT

The Celebrate in Design Awards Gala will take place on Thursday, April 10, 2025 at The Edgewater Hotel - Madison. Registration will open soon.

Please note, only the IIDA WI member, design firm name and project name will be announced the evening of the design awards. Additional team members will be included in the slideshow presentation at the awards event. Recipient of the Best of Competition award will receive the honor of presenting their project to event attendees the following year. Awarded projects will be featured on the IIDA WI website and in our social media blasts following the event.

Thank you for participating and good luck!

IIDA Wisconsin

2025 Celebrate in Design Awards

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Awards Program Dates

My Awards Program Entries

Awards Program Dates

My Awards Program Entries

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