Each submission to the Architecture Plus Awards will not be judged in competition with each other, but rather by measuring the architect’s performance against each projects’ potential. Thus, ordinary projects of ordinary program or projects with modest budgets will equally merit the award based on the architect’s skill in optimising the design opportunity. All submissions will be judged in their own categories.

Jury decisions will be solely based on materials submitted. No field trips are planned.

Submitted entries will be subject to a blind review and deliberation by the final jury.

In evaluating the submissions, the jury will be looking for the projects that effectively demonstrate the following:

In general, how well does the project relate to its immediate context and locality.

• The physical and sociological parameters affecting the project,
• How the design has responded to these parameters,
• How the amenity of the project gives consideration to these parameters,
• Consideration may be given to building/space type; building form; building alignment; materials selection; the significance of internal/external relationships; the significance of building/space relationships; and complexity of the required functions.

How well does the project meet the client’s requirements?

• How the architect’s philosophies and understanding of the client’s needs are expressed in the project,
• The architect’s intentions in architectural expression,
• How fully the concept was followed through using detail, colour, materials, siting, etc.,
• How successful the architect was in satisfying their aims for architectural expression.

How well does the project perform environmentally; what efforts have been taken with regards to the use and preservation of energy:

• The energy conservation measures employed in the design
• Was life cycle costing considered when looking at alternative energy harnessing devices?
• The method of construction, and its impact on the surrounding environment - soil, water, air, traffic, heritage, visual impact, flora and fauna, community response, human impact, etc.
• The project’s contribution to the advancement of ecologically sustainable design.

Ecology (related to Landscape Architecture)
How does project integrate landscape design with ecology to create effective external spaces?

• Demonstrate good knowledge and use of native planting, flora and fauna
• Water conserving landscapes
• entrance and circulation path within the project
• express creativity in planning and design  

How well does the project provide access for the physically challenged children, and the elderly? The jury will evaluate the successful integration of these provisions within the overall design process:

• Organisation of spaces and functions inside and out
• Were user needs evaluated as distinct from client needs and how they are reflected in the functional layout of the project?
• Proximity to parking and public transport
• pathways from points of arrival (surfaces, slope, barriers, signage)
• sensory environment (colour, texture, lighting, auditory aids)
• toilets and other facilities
• fittings and fixtures (counters, switches, furniture)
• The level of excellence and imagination shown in design for access.

How does the project contribute to the advancement in architecture in general to its locality?

• Ingenious solution developed within the limitations of the context.
• The features, ideas, and/or methods expressed in the project, which contribute to advancing new concepts in architectural thinking.

Conserving History (related to the (Preservation/ Conservation Award only)
A statement of significance should be submitted with each conservation entry. The statement, which is used as the basis for conservation decisions, may have been produced independently by an organisation responsible for identification or by the entrant.

In the case of conservation entries, juries will consider:

• The conservation policy that was established and used as a framework for implementing conservation decisions. The jury will consider the content of the policy and how well it was adhered to. The policy may be a formal document or an agreed unwritten policy, providing it covers a balance between the competing interests of a project.

 The project’s contribution to conservation including:

• Accuracy/authenticity of the conservation work,
• The basis and extent of the research undertaken,
• Any departure made from the original form/materials/use,
• The features, ideas, and/or methods used in the project that contribute to the advancement of architectural conservation.