Awards FAQ
I don’t think our projects will win any awards, so is it worth looking?
We disagree. We are tracking over 200 awards and adding to the list every week. They cater for almost all kinds of project scales, typologies and architectural styles. We are certain that there will be something that you could apply for.
What is the point of winning architectural awards?
In very simple terms, there are three main benefits: publicity, giving confidence to current and future clients, and giving confidence to your business and staff. To summarise:
– Award winning projects generate further publicity across a range of media sources. Not only are results announced on the primary awards channels, but also reported widely by the design press.
– For those clients that may offer repeat work, an industry award can help build confidence in your ability to deliver great projects.
– Award wins and nominations give an anchor for social media news and stories.
– A run of successful award wins has the effect of creating a communications buzz around a practice and attracts further social media followers.
– Project reports and case studies can quote award wins, lending authority to your claims about the quality of your work.
– Great staff want to work for award-winning practices. The moral boost of winning an award for a project that you have worked hard to deliver, and attending a ceremony to receive it, can be a career highlight.
– The award ceremonies for finalists can be great opportunities for networking – not only with potential clients, but also collaborators.
– For the very successful practices, those that compete for international competition work may often have to demonstrate major award wins to qualify for the competition.
– You might get a cool trophy to put in your office reception.
Aren’t most architectural awards just money-making exercises?
Well, yes. Many architectural awards have been set up by design publications as a way of funding their business model – it is not so easy to turn a profit from journalism these days. And there are also awards that have been set-up as standalone commercial enterprises, run wholly for profit.
However, a large proportion of potential awards are still organised by industry associations and councils, and these are often seen as the ones that are worth winning. But perhaps they don’t have such a wide outreach with their post-award publicity that some of the established design media can offer? There are pros and cons, and our comprehensive list is designed to help you navigate the options.
Our view is that if you accept architectural awards for what they are, there can be useful symbiotic relationships at play. You help fund their business, and they give you the opportunity for valuable publicity, and client confidence.
Awards are expensive to enter, isn’t it a waste of time and money?
Some awards are expensive to enter, yes. And then there is the additional cost of attending the awards ceremony if you are shortlisted, which is often more expensive than the cost of entry itself. However, some awards have a free entry cost, and no ceremony at all.
Our lists let you know the cost of entry and potential future costs so that you can make a pragmatic decision. But of course, you should have a good feeling about the project, review previous winners, and gauge whether you have a realistic chance of being shortlisted. Even being on a shortlist gives you opportunities for valuable publicity and can be quoted on project sheets and your website.
What awards are you tracking?
We are aiming to track every architectural award that we feel is relevant to architects in the UK and Ireland. This will also include international awards, as some subscribers are working on overseas projects, and have international offices. Eventually we hope to be tracking every useful award worldwide – offering you a one place hit to review award opportunities chronologically, by deadline.
When do you publish awards to the Beedier platform?
We will publish awards once entries are open, and we will check upcoming awards weekly for new open awards. In this way you will have good notice to review awards, and prepare submissions, and you will never miss an award deadline.
Does Beedier have commercial partnerships with any award organisations?
No, we act independently offering information and advice to subscribers. However, as our list of subscribers increases, we will try and use our influence with organisers to solicit potential discounts for award entry fees – at least this is our plan. Watch this space.
Can you help us with specific award submissions?
Yes. Our team has a great track record of helping architects to win awards. Firstly by helping them to decide which awards to pitch for, and also by putting together bespoke submission materials. If you would like talk to us about award entries, then pleased contact us at – info@woodburnpark.com
Beedier Awards FAQ
V1, 01/12/2023
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