Each year, the AZ Awards recognizes innovation in architecture, interiors, product design, urbanism and more, attracting entries from the world’s top talents, manufacturers and firms worldwide, both emerging and established. And in 2027, we’ve tripled the opportunities for entrants to be recognized. 

Submissions are open now until February 26, 2027. Go to awards.azuremagazine.com now to take advantage of Early Bird Pricing!

What’s New

For just about every major category, we’ve expanded the number of sub-categories — and sub-sub-categories — to reflect a more varied range of design briefs. In this way, projects of vastly different sizes and programs are no longer competing against each other.

For instance, in Architecture, the Residential sub-category now reflects a more diverse range of housing, with sub-sub-categories of Urban Houses, Non-urban Houses, Multi-Unit Residential and Affordable Housing.

We’ve also introduced new headings, like Building Envelope, for projects that elevate their street presence through unique cladding. And we’ve designated a new Transformation sub-category, where Adaptive Reuse and Architectural Renovation are two distinct groupings.

Student projects can now be entered as a thesis (to compete for the A+ Award), or as a school project (such as a design-build); and the Social Good and Environmental Leadership awards now both have Product and Project sub-groupings.

We’ve also introduced completely new honours, like the Outstanding Firm Award, which recognizes a firm that has produced consistently exceptional work over the past few years, whether in architecture, landscape or interiors. 

Finally, to make things really interesting, all entrants can now opt in (for a small fee) to the People’s Choice recognition. 

View the full list of categories by downloading our submission details here.

A Full Year of Exposure

Winners and finalists of the AZ Awards receive unparalleled international exposure and recognition in myriad ways:

Publication in AZURE: Winners will be published in the print and digital editions of the Summer 2027 issue of AZURE Magazine, online on azuremagazine.com and on the digital platforms of our international network of architecture and design media partners.

Social Media Celebration: Our finalists and winners are also lauded in our year-round AZ Awards social media campaign.

Celebration at our Gala: Winners will receive recognition at the annual AZ Awards gala in Toronto, attended by 500+ local and international A&D professionals.

AZ Awards Trophy: Winners take home the AZ Awards trophy, reimagined each year by a prominent designer (the likes of which have included Oskar Zieta, Marie-Christine Dorner, Luca Nichetto, Michael Anastassiades, Philippe Malouin, Karim Rashid, and Ini Archibong). Look for announcements early next year about the 2027 AZ Awards trophy designer!

KEY DATES:
Submissions open: November 9, 2026
Early-bird deadline: December 11, 2026
Deadline: February 26, 2027

Finalists announced: April 2027
People’s Choice voting: March 22 to April 2, 2027
AZ Awards Gala: Late June (Date TBA)