2024 ACANTHUS AWARDS
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Sponsored by the Chicago-Midwest Chapter of the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art

The Chicago-Midwest Chapter of the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art is pleased to announce the 2024 Acanthus Awards. The ICAA is the leading national nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the practice and appreciation of the classical tradition in architecture and the allied arts. The purpose of the Acanthus Awards is to recognize excellence and distinction in classical and traditional architecture.

Eligibility

The Acanthus Awards are open to all design professionals, students, contractors and artisans practicing within the boundaries of the Chicago-Midwest region of the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art which includes: Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and the upper peninsula of Michigan. Projects submitted for consideration may be from anywhere in the world. Any project completed after January 1st, 2014 is eligible. Student work must be recent. Contractors submitting work in the categories of: Architecture, Interior Design, Preservation & Restoration, Renovation & Adaptive Reuse, Landscape Design, or Allied Arts & Craftsmanship must do so in association with and permission of the design professional responsible for the project. Previous Acanthus Award winning projects are not eligible for additional awards.

Categories and Criteria

RESIDENTIAL ARCHITECTURE UNDER 5000 GSF

Any classical or traditional new single-family residence or new addition to an existing single-family residence will be considered for award.

RESIDENTIAL ARCHITECTURE OVER 5000 GSF

Any classical or traditional new single-family residence or new addition to an existing single-family residence will be considered for award.

Institutional or Commercial Architecture

Any classical or traditional new building or new addition to an existing building that is institutional, commercial, or a multi-family residential building type will be considered for award.

Interior Design

Any classical or traditional interior design project regardless of type (institutional, residential, retail, etc.) will be considered for award.

Preservation & Restoration

Any restoration or preservation of an historic building, structure, or landscape which is of a classical tradition or vernacular will be considered for award.

Renovation & Adaptive Reuse

Any historic building, structure or landscape that has been renovated or repurposed for new use which is of a classical tradition or vernacular will be considered for award.

Landscape Design

Any classical or traditional new or extended landscape design project will be considered for award.

Allied Arts & Craftsmanship

Any classical or traditional work of art, element within a composition, or individual object will be considered for award.

Unbuilt Work

Any commissioned classical or traditional project that has not been or will not be built will be considered for award.

Student work

2 categories: Recently Graduated or Currently Enrolled at the institution where the work was accomplished

Any recent student project that utilizes a classical or traditional design approach is eligible for consideration of award. Additionally, projects submitted by a currently enrolled student at an accredited institution will also be eligible for a $2000 Scholarship. Student must be currently enrolled at the Institution where the work was accomplished to be eligible for the $2000 Scholarship.

Submission Process

Step 1.

Step 1. Fill out the INTENT TO ENTER SUBMISSION FORM online and make payment. Complete a separate online form for each submission that you intend to submit. Once this is received and processed, you will receive via email a separate submission number for each project that will be used to anonymously track each submission. Along with your submission number, the email will provide instructions on how to submit your project. All entries must be submitted electronically.

Intent to enter deadline is June 15th, 2024.

Step 2.

Complete the actual submission for each entry and  send the submission materials electronically as requested on the confirmation by 11:59 pm  July 15th, 2024.

Submission Inclusions

The following items are required with each submission. 


Do NOT include the name of the firm or designer anywhere in the submission. Any identification of the firm or designer will be grounds for disqualification.

One combined PDF package will be provided to the jury. This PDF package should include the following:

  • One page cover sheet to include information listed below:

  • Project Name (students should also list the name of the college or university where the work was accomplished and their project advisor).

  • Project Location and Year of Completion if applicable

  • Category of Submission (Residential Architecture under 5000 GS, Residential Architecture over 5000 GSF, Institutional or Commercial Architecture, Interior Design, Preservation & Restoration, Renovation & Adaptive Reuse, Landscape Design, Allied Arts & Craftsmanship, Unbuilt Work, Student Work – Recently Graduated, Student Work – Currently Enrolled). Students must state that they are currently enrolled at the institution where the work was completed to be eligible for the $2,000 scholarship.

  • Project Statement of 500 words or less describing the project including its classical or traditional aspects.

    • If the project is an addition or set within an existing context, clearly describe what work is new

    • If the submission is an Interior Design project, clearly describe what work is new. Please note: before and after photographs are required for this category.

  • Maximum twenty pages including photographs* of the completed project and/or drawings which help to describe the project. Limit images to two pages per 8 ½” x 11” page. Captioned photograph(s), elevation(s), detail(s), rendering(s), and/or section drawing(s) as necessary to thoroughly describe the project, including photo credits, w here applicable. It is suggested that architectural projects be documented clearly within a context, including: site plan with north arrow, building plans, and, where applicable, pre-existing conditions. Projects located within or adjacent to a building, such as interior design or landscape, should include one exterior photo for reference. Craftsmanship entries should include process images. Please note: before photographs may be added to a page and will not count toward the two image per page limit. Again, if the project is an addition or set within an existing context, clearly identify what work is new. Before and after photographs are highly recommended, if applicable. Projects located within or adjacent to a building, such as interior design or landscape, should include one exterior photo for reference.  Craftsmanship entries should include process images.  Images of new work should be high resolution  300   dpi or larger.  Before images are not required to be 300 dpi or higher


PDF package should be formatted to 8 ½” x 11” pages, portrait or landscape format. The pdf package should include the Data Sheet plus a maximum of twenty additional pages. Combine all pages in a single pdf file. The file name should match the submission number, and the submission number should be clearly identified on eachpage.

In addition to the PDF package, please upload all photos in jpeg format, at 300 dpi, to the submission link. Images may be used to promote the Acanthus Awards event, and will be shown during the evening of the Acanthus Awards ceremony. Please note – you will be contacted to provide design team and photographer credits prior to any use of the images for marketing or social media purposes.

Jury and Awards Presentation

The jury for all professional award categories will be a panel of noted practitioners and educators familiar with classical and traditional design.

  • The jury for all student submissions will either be the Board of Directors of the Chicago ICAA or the Professional Awards Jury.

  • We will be filming all Award Winners prior to the award ceremony in Mid-September. Please be prepared to be available for 1 hour during that time.

  • The awards will be presented at the Acanthus Awards on October 16th at the University Club of Chicago. Details and ticket prices to be announced at a future date.

  • For currently enrolled students at an accredited institution a minimum of one $2,000 scholarship will be presented for the best student project as determined by the jury. This one time scholarship donation shall be presented to the university in the name of the student currently enrolled to help offset the educational expenses for that student.



PLEASE NOTE:
Those making a submission to the Acanthus Awards must have rights and permission to use all photography and/or printed material contained within the submission. The ICAA Chicago-Midwest Chapter reserves the right to use all materials contained within the submission in future printed and digital media for its own promotional purposes.