ACADIA Awards of Excellence

Inaugurated in 1998, the ACADIA Awards of Excellence represent recognition, by colleagues worldwide, of consistent contributions and impact on the field of architectural computing.

Through 2005, awards were given in three categories: Teaching, Service, and Research. In 2006 an award was added in Emerging Digital Practice and the prior three were renamed as Teaching Excellence, Innovative Research, and Society. In 2007, an additional award for an innovative academic program was added to recognize individual or collective efforts in the establishment of an innovative academic program that contributes to the education of students in the field of digital design.

Award Categories

Design Excellence Award

This award recognizes outstanding built or speculative work that exemplifies the integration of digital technologies in architectural design. It celebrates projects that demonstrate innovation, conceptual rigor, and a clear advancement of design through computational methods.

Current Recipient

Ensamble Studio

2025 - Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Digital Practice Award of Excellence

This award recognizes creative design work that advances the discipline of architecture through development and use of digital media.

Current Recipient

Studio RAP

2025 - Studio RAP

Impact Award of Excellence

This award recognizes an innovative impact that broadens learning opportunities in the field of digital design.

Current Recipient

Feminist Spatial Practices

2025 - Feminist Spatial Practices

Innovative Research Award of Excellence

This award recognizes innovative research that contributes to the field of digital design in architecture. The award distinguishes research with the potential to transform contemporary architecture.

Current Recipient

Tsz Yan Ng

2025 - University of Michigan Taubman College of Architecture & Urban Planning

Society Award for Leadership

This award recognizes extraordinary contributions and service to the ACADIA community.

Current Recipient

Jenny Sabin

2025 - Cornell College of Architecture, Art, and Planning

Teaching Award of Excellence

This award recognizes innovative teaching in the field of digital design in architecture. Teaching approaches that can be adopted by other educators are recognized in particular.

Current Recipient

Kristy Balliet

2025 - Southern California Institute of Architecture

Innovative Academic Program Award of Excellence

This award recognizes an innovative academic program that contributes to the education of students in the field of digital design. The award distinguishes one or more individuals responsible for the establishment, success, growth, or management of the academic program.

Lifetime Achievement Award

This award honors an individual whose career has made a lasting and significant impact on the field of digital design in architecture. It recognizes sustained contributions through research, practice, education, or service that have shaped the discourse and direction of the discipline.

Past Award Recipients

View our past award recipients.

Grants

The ACADIA Board of Directors is actively working on developing a Grant opportunities for our members. Please check back soon for more information on our grants.

Scholarships

Each year ACADIA awards several scholarships to students who have had papers accepted at the annual conference to help enable them to attend and present their research. For more information on the scholarship application process, please email the ACADIA membership officer at membership@acadia.org.