How Architecture Awards Build Practice & Profile: A Conversation with Eszter Riga

Eszter Riga is the Community Manager & Coach at ArchiBiz, founded on a singular premise: to unlock the potential of architects. Eszter and the ArchiBiz team believe awards aren't just trophies—they're a strategic tool for architects to build their reputation, attract clients, and share the real impact of their work. They see awards as one part of a bigger picture, helping practices clarify their vision and amplify their stories to the world.

What are the benefits for architecture practices to regularly enter architecture awards?

Many architects wonder if the time, effort, and money spent entering awards are really worth it, or if it's just a vanity metric. The short answer is: yes! Awards can be a fantastic way to raise your studio's profile and bring in new work—if you approach them strategically.

Awards build credibility. Winning sends a clear message to clients, peers, and the wider community about the quality of your work. For some clients, the phrase “I'm working with an award-winning architect” carries real weight and pride. Others might not care about the trophy itself, but they do care about the story behind how you got there—how your team solved problems and delivered something special.

Awards are also excellent for marketing. They're a springboard for sharing your work through social media, press releases, newsletters, and your website. But it's important to be intentional—awards don't do the work by themselves. With the right follow-through, they can boost your positioning, attract new clients, and energise your team. Even being shortlisted can be a chance to celebrate together and lift morale. Plus, awards help attract top talent who want to work at studios known for exciting, recognised work.

Have you thought about how awards might also help your studio reconnect with past clients or refine your story? Even if you don't win, the process itself is a valuable opportunity to reflect on your project's impact and how you can use that story elsewhere.

How do you decide what's worth entering?

Start by getting very clear on your goals and your vision. What do you want to be known for? What type of work do you want more of? Are you passionate about sustainability, community impact, or innovation? Let those priorities guide which awards you focus on.

Next, take an honest look at your projects. Are they finished and professionally photographed? Do they have a compelling story that highlights your design thinking and the outcomes for your clients?

Be realistic about your chances, too. Research past winners to see if your project sits comfortably among them. If it doesn't, you might want to rethink or hold off for now.

What's your budget and your team's availability? Entry fees can add up fast, and preparing a strong submission takes time. Often, it's better to focus on a few awards you can really give your best to rather than spreading yourself too thin. Have you thought about how you could repurpose award submission materials for your website or marketing to get even more mileage out of that work?

What's the best way to pull together an award submission?

Good planning is essential. Start early and build a media kit as part of your standard project wrap-up process.

Develop a narrative that explains the brief, your concept, challenges you faced, and how you solved them. Each award has its own focus, so don't just copy-paste your standard project description. Tailor your story to match the judging criteria—whether that's sustainability, innovation, or community impact.

Have you considered how to tell the story in a way that connects emotionally? Judges want to see the real impact your work has on people's lives, not just that you “met the brief.”

Photos matter, too! Make sure you have well-shot images that show off the project from multiple perspectives. Think about how those photos flow together like a mini-tour—do they help someone really feel the space? Key drawings and diagrams are crucial for communicating your design intent, so make sure they're clear and well presented.

What other details might help your story stand out? Project size, budget, timeline, and your key collaborators can all be powerful context.

What kinds of awards are out there and how do you choose?

The right awards depend on your goals and your audience. Major institute awards are highly regarded within the profession, while international awards like Dezeen, Architizer, or the World Architecture Festival offer wider exposure.

If you're working in a niche—like sustainability, housing, or interiors—there are targeted awards for those too. Local awards can have a big impact in your region and often connect you with new local clients or partners.

There are also broader design awards that put architecture alongside product or digital design, which can help position your studio within the wider creative industry.

Which of these categories best aligns with your vision and how you want your practice to be seen?

How does ArchiBiz help with all of this?

At ArchiBiz, we see awards as just one part of the bigger picture. They're valuable, but only when they support your broader strategy—whether that's about positioning your practice, attracting specific clients, or building a niche profile.

We help architects clarify how awards fit in, identify strong projects, and figure out how to get the most mileage from them—through storytelling, media coverage, and using that content in your wider marketing.

When it comes to hands-on support, we've got specialists for everything from compelling copywriting to presentation design. If you're feeling stuck or just want someone to walk you through it all step by step, we're here to help.

Curious to learn more?

• Have you entered awards before, or is it something you're thinking about for the first time?
• Do you feel clear on your positioning and how awards fit in?
• What questions or worries come up for you when you think about awards and your practice?

If you're curious to see what awards are coming up or want to track your entries more easily, check out architectureawardstracker.com.