Honoring Design Achievements
AIA Cleveland recognizes top projects with annual awards program Provided by AIA Cleveland
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ARCHITECTURE Honor Award
Cleveland Public Library Glenville Branch
(11900 St. Clair Ave., Cleveland) Bialosky
JURY COMMENTS: “A beautifully conceived abstraction of light and history, this project draws inspiration from 8
Architecture Honor Award Winner: Cleveland Public Library Glenville Branch
both its site and its civic purpose. It reimagines the existing building’s strong architectural character with confidence and clarity, revitalizing its geometric rigor while deepening its sense of place.”
Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex
ARCHITECTURE Honor Award
Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex (212 W. 7th St., Joplin, MO) DLR Group
JURY COMMENTS: “A dynamic composition that unites formal ambition with civic generosity. A confident civic composition that bal-
ances formal strength with openness and invitation. Carved and subtracted volumes draw the public in, while clear planning and flexible spaces reinforce the building’s role as a cultural and community anchor.”
Cleveland Museum of Natural History
ARCHITECTURE Merit Award
Cleveland Museum of Natural History
(1 Wade Oval Dr, Cleveland) DLR Group
JURY COMMENTS: “A sophisticated integration of sustainable performance and architectural expression. The projProperties | January 2026
Photos of The Cornell Complex and CMNH by Kevin Reeves
The 2025 design awards jury chair was Brian MacKay Lyons, FAIA, a Canadian architect and founder of MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects in Nova Scotia. Renowned for his minimalist, siteresponsive designs, he draws inspiration from local materials, vernacular building traditions and the coastal landscape of Atlantic Canada. AIA Cleveland held the annual Design Awards celebration, with over 350 people in attendance on Friday, November 7, 2025 at the Hotel Cleveland. There were six categories in this year’s program, including Architecture (24 total project entries), Interior Architecture (17 entries), Small Projects (three entries), Unbuilt Projects (six entries), Makers (six entries) and Student Projects (40 entries). The Architecture category celebrates the best contemporary architecture regardless of budget, size, style or type, while the Interior Architecture category honors innovative interior spaces. The Small Projects category recognizes projects less than 5,000 square feet. The Unbuilt Projects category highlights projects that are not expected to be constructed but demonstrate excellence in research, design theory and performance. The Makers category spotlights unique materials, details or technologies in which the expression of architecture and the craft of making come together. Lastly, student design work is recognized by the Student Projects category. Winning projects included:
Photo by Christian Phillips
he Cleveland chapter of American Institute of Architects (AIA Cleveland) recognizes excellence in design each year by inviting Cleveland-based architecture firms to submit their best work to be reviewed by nationally renowned juries from all over the country.