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PROFESSIONAL AWARD CATEGORIES

General Design

This General Design category recognizes site-specific works of landscape architectural design that have a construction budget above $500,000. Typical entries in this category include: public open space, environmental, commercial, institutional or private landscapes, historic preservation, reclamation, conservation, design for transportation or infrastructure, landscape art, interior landscape design, green roofs, etc.

For large incremental projects, at least the first stage must be completed to be eligible for an award. Design entries should exhibit a relationship to planning and a framework larger than the immediate site.

CRITERIA FOR JUDGING:

  • Quality of design

  • Functionalism

  • Relationship to context and environmental responsibility

  • Relevance to the profession, the public, and the environment

Small Scale Design

In an effort to recognize landscape architecture projects of all scales, category 2 has been revised to accommodate projects with varying construction budget sizes. Entries in this category can include everything that could be submitted under category 1 but with an emphasis on private gardens and residential design. Make sure that when submitting under category 2, that a tier level is identified on the entry form.

Tier 1: Construction budget of between $100,000 and $500,000.

Tier 2: Construction budget of between $20,000 and $100,000.

Tier 3: Construction budget of no more than $20,000.

CRITERIA FOR JUDGING:

  • Quality of design

  • Functionalism

  • Relationship to context and environmental responsibility

  • Relevance to the profession, the public, and the environment

Un-Built Works

The Un-Built Works category recognizes site-specific projects which have been designed but may or may not lead into construction. Projects can include conceptual site plans, site studies, site design competition submittals, master planning documents, etc.

CRITERIA FOR JUDGING:

  • Quality of design

  • Functionalism

  • Relationship to context

  • Environmental responsibility

  • Relevance to the profession, the public and the environment

Analysis and Planning

Typical entries in this category include: general development, government policies or programs, legislation or regulations, landscape analysis, natural and visual resource inventories, natural resource protection, or conservation.

Please indicate your project category on the entry form:

  • Category A - Site Boundary Under 10 Acres

  • Category B - Site Boundary 10 Acres and Over

CRITERIA FOR JUDGING:

  • Quality of planning and design

  • Relationship to context and environmental responsibility

  • Effective use, presentation, or programming of landscape architectural techniques

  • Impact on the environment or environmental decision making

  • Significance to the profession

Research

This category recognizes scholarly research that examines a problem using accepted methods and arriving at supported and original findings or solutions of value to the profession. A paper copy of the document may be submitted if a digital version is not available. Examples can include publications, thesis work, course work, etc.

CRITERIA FOR JUDGING:

  • Quality of presentation

  • Significance to the profession

Communication

This category recognizes design achievements in communicating landscape architectural information, technology, theory, or practice to those within or outside the profession. This category includes published or written documents, exhibits or video presentations. A paper copy of the document may be submitted if a digital version is not available. A five-minute maximum DVD presentation of the project may also be submitted.

 

CRITERIA FOR JUDGING:

  • Quality of content and presentation

  • Usefulness to the intended reader or viewer

  • Significance to the profession

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