International Excellence Awards 2026 Call For Entry

Where Innovation Earns Its Place

The International Excellence Awards (IEA) returns for its second edition, once again curated by the Architecture & Design Community (ADC) in partnership with Design Skill Magazine. Far from another design contest, IEA is a sharp, content-driven platform that gives visionaries, studios, and emerging talents the space to be seen, evaluated, and remembered - for all the right reasons.

A More Intelligent Model of Recognition

The International Excellence Awards introduces a refined approach to judging. There are no rankings and no forced comparisons. Each submission is assessed independently by an international jury, with awards granted purely on scoring outcomes.

+ Platinum IE Award: 9.0 – 10.0 points

+ Gold IE Award: 7.5 – 8.9 points

+ Silver IE Award: 6.0 – 7.4 points

+ Bronze IE Award: 4.5 – 5.9 points

There is no fixed number of winners per category. Recognition is determined solely by quality, ensuring a transparent, fair, and credible system that truly honours excellence at every scale.

Recognition That Extends Beyond the Title

An IEA distinction is designed as a complete visibility package, tailored to elevate both the project and its creator. Award recipients receive:

+ A personalized digital certificate and official award logo

+ A dedicated winner’s page on the IEA website

+ A studio spotlight card featuring full contact details

+ Social media banners ready for professional promotion

+ Exposure to an audience of over 300,000 followers across Instagram and Facebook

+ Coverage through selected international media partners

And, at the pinnacle: the IEA Trophy - a sculptural tribute to those who lead with talent, creativity, and bold vision

Open, Inclusive, and Global

The International Excellence Awards welcomes students, independent designers, emerging talents, and established studios from around the world. There are no restrictions on project age or status - both realized and conceptual works are eligible.

Submissions may include text, diagrams, drawings, renderings, photography, collages, or graphic materials. From architecture and interiors to furniture, product, packaging, and experimental design, IEA embraces ideas that challenge conventions and redefine the familiar.

The Jury: 2026 Edition

The 2026 jury brings together respected professionals from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds:

+ Jimena Meza – Architect & Founder, Arandano Arquitectura, Peru

+ Hatem Ibrahim – Professor of Architecture, Qatar University, Qatar

+ Haisheng Xu – Co-Founder, LYT-X Studio, USA

+ Inna Lysetska – Senior Project Designer, IDL Construction, USA/Ukraine

+ Daria Yang Du – Founder & Architectural Designer, DD STUDIO/RIOS, USA

All entries are judged blindly. No names. No labels. Just ideas, design, and execution.

Judging Criteria

+ Conceptual Strength & Originality

+ Clarity of Intent & Execution

+ Innovation, Sustainability & Technology

+ Functionality & Craft

+ Overall Impact & Visual Presence

+ Eligibility & Format

Key Dates

+ Advance Entry Deadline: 30 January 2026

+ Standard Entry Deadline: 6 March 2026

+ Extended Entry Deadline: 10 April 2026

+ Final Entry Deadline: 8 May 2026

+ Project Submission Deadline: 11 May 2026

+ Winners Announced: 5 June 2026

Let Your Work Speak – and Let the World Hear It!

Take advantage of the Advance Registration Fee – 110 € 170 €

Students enjoy a 50% discount

Registration page: https://designskill.org/iea-registration/

Submission page: https://designskill.org/iea-submit/

Explore some of the IE Awards 2025 WINNERS:

International Excellence Awards 2026 Call For Entry — Photograph: WAD

PLATINUM WINNER, Casa Corten, Urban and Residential Design (Architecture), Hugo Pereira, Studio: HPA Arquitetura, Copyright: Ivo Tavares Studio, Portugal

GOLD WINNER, Peralta Plaza Residence, Urban and Residential Design (Architecture), Studio: Obrana with SOUND SPACE DESIGN, Copyright: ©OBRANA, Portugal