DESIGNArlington 2025 Application

Eligible projects must have been completed since 2019 and may fall into any number of categories:

• New Construction
• Renovations
• Additions
• Historic Preservation / Rehabilitation / Adaptive Re-use
• Public Art
• Open Space and Landscape projects (Plazas, Parks, Streetscapes, Green Infrastructure) 
• Biophilic Design 

The jury process is “blind” – the identities of the entrant and design team are not revealed to the jury. Members of the awards jury, as well as the firms, organizations, agencies, or employers they represent, are not eligible to submit for an award. Arlington County retains the right to disqualify any entry that does not meet the program requirements or that presents a conflict of interest.

Projects that damage or demolish historic buildings or facades recognized for preservation in County plans or that are classified as “Essential” or “Important” in the Historic Resources Inventory (HRI) are not eligible, unless the projects received: 

1. A special exception approval by the County Board, or 
2. A Certificate of Appropriateness from the Historical Affairs and Landmark Review Board (HALRB).

Historic preservation projects must meet additional eligibility and submission requirements:

• Buildings involved in the project must be at least 50 years of age to be considered historic.
• The project narrative should include the known history of the building, scope of work, building condition before the project, and particular conditions addressed.
• Inclusion of photographs showing the existing conditions before the completed project.
• Projects involving historic garden apartments, shopping centers or commercial buildings must indicate the resource’s status in the Historic Resources Inventory (HRI) on the nomination form.

Entries will be judged based on their overall design quality according to their own merit, not in competition with each other.

A jury of architecture, urban design, historic preservation, public art, and landscape design professionals will review all nominations and select winners of the 2025 DESIGNArlington Awards. The jury will decide the number of awards that will be distributed. All applicants will be notified if selected for an award or not.

A DESIGNArlington Award recognizes and celebrates projects that represent the best of Arlington. They achieve excellence in accordance with the County’s design priorities, including:

• Visual composition and aesthetics
• Relationship to the context
• Contributions to a sense of place that defines Arlington
• Sustainable design and development
• Accessibility to all people regardless of their age or ability
• Preservation of historic buildings, facades, elements and character
• High-quality craftsmanship
• Creative use of durable materials
• Overall qualities of biophilic design

Call for entries: September 29, 2025

Submissions due by: November 21, 2025

Awards announced: January 2026

Applications may be submitted by a member of the project or design team, which may include the property owners, design professionals, or general contractors. It is incumbent upon the applicant to provide a complete list of all participants substantially contributing to the project’s design and execution and give them proper credit. Failure to provide a complete list may result in disqualification.

Submissions will only be accepted via the online form. Attachments should be no larger than 50 MB. All submissions must received by 5:00 p.m. (EST) on Friday, November 21, 2025. No extensions shall be permitted, and late submissions will be disqualified. Any entry not submitted in the manner specified shall not be considered by the jury.