Awards can be an incredibly valuable tool in your marketing mix. They bring added visibility to your brand, highlight your innovative approach to product design, and show how you help solve complex customer challenges. Awards are a guaranteed way to get in front of your target audiences and build credibility within your industry.

In addition, many awards in the architectural and building products space are managed by publications—which means winners are often featured in these outlets’ print editions, digital platforms (like e-magazines and newsletters), and social media channels. 

If you want to maximize brand recognition in the second half of 2024, here are the several essential awards with entry deadlines coming up between now and the end of the year.

Archiproducts Design Awards

Awarded by Edilportale.com Spa, which owns the brand “Archiproducts”

Overview: The Archiproducts Design Awards celebrate the world’s design excellence. They highlight brands’ and designers’ creativity, innovation, and sustainability. Brands may enter 1-5 products that were introduced into the market or published from June 2023 to September 2024. Participation is reserved to the Archiproducts “Members,” or brands that have already subscribed to an ongoing product publishing agreement with Archiproducts.

Award Winners Receive: An invitation to the award ceremony; a physical prize; a photoshoot; a permanent presentation of winning products on a dedicated web page; email newsletter and social media mentions; and more.

Entry categories:

• Furniture
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Outdoor
• Office
• Contract
• Lighting
• Wellness
• Decor
• Finishes
• Building Shell
• Construction
• Tech and Lifestyle
• System Components and Materials

Additional: Brands may also nominate their products for the Sustainability Award, if they adhere to the principles of sustainable design:

• Use of sustainable, recyclable and biodegradable materials
• Production techniques that minimize polluting emissions
• Minimal environmental impact during the product’s entire life cycle

Submission deadline date: Sept. 9, 2024

Entry fee(s): €600 per product, $650.98

Architectural Record: Record Products of the Year 

Awarded by Architectural Record

Overview: Architectural Record’s long-running Record Products of the Year competition heralds the best building materials and furnishings introduced to the North American market within the last year. A panel of architects and designers will judge the entries based on innovation, function, sustainability, and aesthetics. Entry is open to any manufacturer in the U.S. or abroad. Items must have been introduced to the U.S. market on or after Aug. 1, 2023. Manufacturers may submit up to 5 separate entries. Products previously published in print or on the web will be evaluated at the discretion of the jury.

Award Winners Receive: Winners will be featured and highlighted in the December 2024 issue of Architectural Record. Winners will also be shared in articles on the publication’s website, in newsletter coverage, and in social media posts across the brand’s platforms.

Entry categories:

• There are a total of 10 categories for 2024:
• Building Envelope
• Building Systems and Components (including HVAC)
• Ceiling and Wall Coverings (including panel and acoustical)
• Flooring
• Furnishings and Decorative Hardware
• Kitchen and Bath
• Lighting
• Outdoor and Landscaping
• Textiles and Upholstery
• Windows, Doors, and Hardware

Submission Deadline Date: Aug. 1, 2024

Entry Fee(s): $150

Building Design + Construction’s 75 Top Building Products of 2024

Awarded by BD+C 

Overview: Each year, the Building Design+Construction editorial team selects the 75 Top Building Products, made up of excellent products, materials, and systems in the U.S. building design and construction market. Judging is based on the level of innovation and usefulness to the industry. Products are evaluated by a panel of architects, specifiers, engineers, construction professionals, and the BD+C editorial team. The competition accepts submissions from all building product manufacturers serving the U.S./Canada commercial buildings market. Manufacturers may submit up to 3 products. Products must be new or updated within the past 15 months (so after April 2023).  

Award Winners Receive: Winners will be featured in the November/December 2024 issue of Building Design+Construction. Winners will also be shared in articles on the publication’s website, in newsletter coverage, and in social media posts across the brand’s platforms.

Entry categories:

The editors are accepting new/updated products in the following categories: 

• Building Envelope
• Building Systems
• Glass and Glazing
• Interior Products
• Plumbing Products
• Structural Products 
• Windows and Doors 
• Miscellaneous

Submission Deadline Date: Aug. 2, 2024

Entry Fee(s): No fee

Building Enclosure’s Annual Leadership Award

Awarded by Building Enclosure

Overview: Launched in 2023, the Building Enclosure Leadership Award acknowledges and celebrates the architects, engineers, consultants and building professionals who are leading the way in innovative design or spearheading sustainability initiatives in the industry. Considerations include:

• What has the nominee done to advance the AEC industry?
• How does the nominee demonstrate leadership?
• Is the nominee committed to any industry goals, such as the 2030 Challenge or others? If yes, how do they strive to meet those goals?
• Is the nominee part of any industry associations?  What are their roles with those associations and how does our industry benefit from having them?
• How has this person impacted AEC with regard to building enclosures?

The nominee must submit a 1-5 page resume or CV with their application.

Award Winners Receive: The winner will be included in a video interview with Building Enclosure editorial staff to discuss their industry accomplishments. The video will be shared on Building Enclosure’s website and in social media coverage.

Submission Deadline Date: Aug. 30, 2024

Entry Fee(s): No fee

Window + Door Awards

Awarded by Window + Door, official publication of GlassBuild America

Overview: Each year, the Window + Door Awards aim to recognize innovations in the residential fenestration products industry. A panel of judges will consider factors such as if the product is aesthetically pleasing, fills a unique need to the industry, solves a common problem in the industry, incorporates innovative components or technology, or has an innovative design. Products must have been introduced in the past 24 months (after September 2021). All entries must be applicable specifically to the residential market. Manufacturers can submit up to 2 nominations.

Award Winners Receive: Winners will be fully recognized on WindowandDoor.com in December and be featured in Window + Door Weekly.

Entry categories:

Manufacturer award categories include:

• Most Innovative Window
• Most Innovative Patio, Multi-Slide or Multi-Panel Door
• Most Innovative Entry Door
• Most Innovative Manufacturing Process
• Best Dealer Support/Marketing Program

Submission Deadline Date: As of the posting of this blog article, a submission deadline date has not yet been announced. Last year, the deadline date was Oct. 23, so keep that date in mind if you plan to enter for this award. 

Entry Fee(s): No fee

Entry categories:

Manufacturer award categories include:

• Most Innovative Window
• Most Innovative Patio, Multi-Slide or Multi-Panel Door
• Most Innovative Entry Door
• Most Innovative Manufacturing Process
• Best Dealer Support/Marketing Program

Submission Deadline Date: As of the posting of this blog article, a submission deadline date has not yet been announced. Last year, the deadline date was Oct. 23, so keep that date in mind if you plan to enter for this award.

Entry Fee(s): No fee

Other Awards to Monitor

There are several other architectural and building product awards to consider. These include awards with submission deadlines that have since passed as of the publishing of this article, such as The Architect’s Newspaper Best of Product Awards.

Use awards to maximize your 2024 marketing impact

With only 6 months left this year, it’s time for marketing experts to assess how to make a big impact for your brand. Awards may just be the answer. They can help you build stronger connections with your customers, stick out among the competition, and boost your earned media coverage. 

If you’re looking for advice on which awards would be most relevant for your brand, or need assistance developing award-worthy submissions, Spaulding Communications can help. We have decades of experience crafting award-winning entries for our clients who create product solutions for the commercial architectural, building and design industries. 

Reach out today to schedule a free consultation. And if you’re looking for award opportunities within the commercial interior design industry, check out our blog, “The Best Interior Design Awards for 2024.”