Architizer and Frame Awards Judge Nikita Morell shares her perspective on entering Architecture Awards

What got you involved in architecture awards? What organisation and category?

I was asked to be a judge for Architizer awards & Frame awards.

In your role as a copywriter for architects, what unique ways did you assess entries?

I looked at the story behind the design and WHY certain design decisions were made.

What was the process like?

The process is very time-consuming. This is why you need your entry to be as clear as possible. You don't want to confuse the judges. Also, remember all judges (like me!) are not architects or have studied architecture. The words also need to tell you more than you can see in the images. Judges may have to look through hundreds of submissions so text needs a hierarchy from headline to say, a testimonial from a client or user. Many awards use a 'yes' pile, a 'maybe' pile and a straight 'no' pile. It can be fast and brutal. Use words to ensure you get noticed and make it to the 'yes' pile.

What were some of the things discussed for borderline entries? What separates them?

Clear, concise writing is essential for explaining a project's purpose and impact. Ease of reading entries is very important. As judges, we have a lot of entries to read.

Many architects DO NOT answer the criteria or question - copy-pasted from previous entries (it's very obvious!). Sounds simple, but SO many architecture awards submissions contain copy/pasted, irrelevant waffle. Keep your answers concise and on point. Read the question you're answering a number of times and underline or highlight key phrases to emphasise what is really being asked. And… ANSWER ALL PARTS OF THE QUESTION

Again, sounds simple, but it's often overlooked. (Sometimes it's a mistake, but sometimes it's because of lack of information. If you don't have what you need, go back and find it.)

What advice would you give to architects entering awards?

Words add context to your award submission. Words tell a story. They direct the judges' attention and highlight what they should be looking at. In short, they help judges interpret your project how YOU want them to.

Use your words to paint a visual picture of the space. Weave in lots of senses - not just what you can SEE but what you can feel, smell, hear, etc.

Award judges want to find the very best buildings: the most beautiful, the most sustainable, and the ones that tick all the boxes. But until they visit the buildings (and they'll probably only visit those that are shortlisted), they're relying on a handful of photographs and paragraphs. Those paragraphs, just like the photographs, need to pull their weight.

About Nikita Morell

Nikita Morell is a copywriter and communications strategist who helps architects articulate the power of their projects through clear, compelling words. As a trusted voice in the architecture industry, Nikita collaborates with design studios to craft messaging that resonates with clients, awards juries, and the wider design community.

For more on her work or to collaborate, visit nikitamorell.com