SPATIAL DESIGN
This category celebrates innovative spatial design grounded in African identity and forward-thinking expression. From architecture and interior design to landscape and urban planning, it highlights projects that redefine space while honoring cultural heritage, sustainability, and social impact. The AIDA Awards recognize visionary designers shaping the built environment across Africa.
Through the Africa International Design Awards – Spatial Design, we celebrate the essential role of space in shaping how we live, work, and connect. With 23 categories spanning Architecture, Interior Design, Landscape Architecture, and Urban Planning, the awards honor designers who skillfully balance creative expression with functionality.
Architecture is more than aesthetics — it’s about shaping environments rooted in purpose, culture, and context. It considers the needs, lifestyles, and values of the people who inhabit a space and translates them into meaningful, built forms. As one of humanity’s oldest creative sciences, architecture draws from millennia of innovation and tradition. Today’s African designers continue this legacy, infusing contemporary spaces with heritage, identity, and a vision for the future.
CATEGORIES
ARCHITECTURE
Cultural Building Architecture
Religious & Spiritual Building Architecture
Commercial & Retail Architecture
Public building Architecture
Industrial Architecture
Residential Architecture
Hospitality Architecture
Mixed-Use Building Architecture
Urban Planning
Emergency and Temporary housing
Sustainable & Energy Saving Building
Landscape Architecture
Others Architectural Projects
INTERIOR DESIGN
Commercial & Retail Interior
Public Building Interior
Hospitality Interior
Cultural Building Interior
Religious & Spiritual Buildings Interior
Residential Interior
Office Interior Design
Sustainable Interior Design
Renovation Interior Design
Other Interior Designs
SUBMISSION DETAILS
Entries may be submitted as conceptual designs, projects in progress, or completed works. The only requirement is that the project must be less than five years old at the time of submission.
Submissions should include high-quality images showcasing key angles and views of the space or structure, as well as contextual visuals that highlight how the design interacts with its environment. Where applicable, please provide architectural drawings, plans, sections, or concept sketches that help illustrate the design process and creative intent.
If the project involves a renovation, restoration, or adaptive reuse, be sure to include before-and-after images to demonstrate the transformation. For multi-structure or large-scale projects, an overall site rendering or overview image is recommended.
Submissions are welcome from companies, independent designers, and students. Please note: Winners are selected based on a single project, not on a full portfolio or body of work.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
- Provide a brief description of the architectural or spatial project, including its concept, inspiration, intended function, materials used, and contextual relevance (cultural, environmental, or social).
- Include a profile of the designer, student, design firm, or academic institution involved.
- List all contributors who played a role in the development of the project (e.g., lead architect/designer, interior designer, landscape architect, engineer, project manager, mentor, or professor).
- Upload up to 10 images showcasing the project from multiple perspectives — including exterior and interior views, details, and images in context (e.g., site surroundings or user interaction). You may also include your company or studio logo.
- If applicable, provide design development visuals such as concept sketches, technical drawings, plans, sections, elevations, renderings, or mood boards that support the overall narrative.
- For renovation, restoration, or adaptive reuse projects, include clear before-and-after images to highlight the transformation.
- Spatial Design Specification PDF (recommended for conceptual or student projects) — Include relevant details such as site plans, materials, dimensions, or construction notes.
For more information, please download the AIDA Awards entry guide 2026.
ELIGIBILITY
The Africa International Design Awards are open to anyone aged 18 and above, regardless of their country of residence. Applicants living outside of Africa should either be of African origin or submit projects that have been developed or realized in Africa. All submissions must demonstrate a clear and meaningful connection to the continent.
The AIDA Awards Jury Members for Spatial Design
AIDA’s jury is composed of internationally acclaimed designers, creative directors, and cultural thinkers from across Africa and the diaspora.
JUDGING CRITERIA
The evaluation process for entries to the AIDA Awards – Fashion Design category is guided by a set of flexible judging criteria. These are regularly reviewed and adapted in response to evolving creative, cultural, environmental, and social contexts. While not exhaustive, the criteria serve as a framework to guide the jury’s assessment — complemented by each juror’s expertise, perspective, and cultural background.
Each jury member is deeply committed to a fair and thoughtful evaluation process. Categories are assigned based on the jurors’ specific knowledge and professional experience. All entries are reviewed anonymously and randomly, ensuring a judging process that is both impartial and equitable.
Entries will be evaluated based on the following criteria, depending on the nature of the project and design discipline:
- Aesthetics – Overall visual harmony and design quality, including form, proportion, materiality, color, texture, and finish.
- Innovation – Introduction of new design approaches, construction methods, spatial concepts, or reinterpretations of traditional forms.
- Functionality & Practicality – Effectiveness of the space in serving its intended use, including aspects such as circulation, safety, accessibility, maintenance, and user needs.
- Ergonomics – Quality of spatial experience, comfort, and optimization of space in relation to human activity and movement.
- Durability – Use of quality materials and construction techniques that ensure long-term resilience, adaptability, and structural performance.
- Impact – Positive contribution to users, the surrounding community, and society at large — whether social, cultural, educational, or economic.
- Contextual Integration – Sensitivity to the site, environment, and cultural or historical context; how well the design responds to and enhances its surroundings.
- Ecological Compatibility – Environmental responsibility in terms of material sourcing, energy efficiency, construction methods, and sustainability strategies.
- Emotional Quotient – Beyond utility, does the design evoke a sense of enjoyment, connection, or emotional resonance?
SCORING BOARD & JUDGING PROCESS
The AIDA Awards follow a multi-step judging process to ensure fairness, rigor, and expert evaluation across all disciplines.
In the first stage, jury members review and rate all submitted projects online using a dedicated scorecard. Each juror evaluates entries based on their expertise and experience within their specific field of design. The Africa Internationals Design Awards scores projects between 10-100 points.
Once the initial scores have been tallied, jury members participate in group discussions to review the highest-scoring entries in each category. These collaborative sessions allow for the exchange of ideas, critical debate, and collective insight. Final deliberations determine the winners in the Professional, Independent Designer, and Emerging Designer categories.
ENTRY FEES 2026
To ensure access and representation across the continent and the diaspora, we offer regionally adapted pricing. Africa-based applicants benefit from a reduced fee structure to reflect local economies and support emerging voices. Diaspora and international participants are invited to contribute through a standard fee, which helps fund outreach and the awards ceremony.
ENTRY FEES 2026 – APPLICATIONS FROM AFRICAN COUNTRIES
The AIDA Awards entry fees are calculated per project submitted and are determined based on the country associated with your billing information or company location.
- Professional/ Company: US$100, same entry in additional categories at a 50% discount.
- Independent Designer / Freelancers: US$40, same entry in additional categories at a 50% discount.
- Student: US$10, same entry in additional categories at a 50% discount.
ENTRY FEES 2026 – INTERNATIONAL APPLICATIONS
The AIDA Awards entry fees are calculated per project submitted and are determined based on the country associated with your billing information or company location.
- Professional/ Company: US$200, same entry in additional categories at a 50% discount.
- Independent Designer / Freelancers: US$80, same entry in additional categories at a 50% discount.
- Student : US$20, same entry in additional categories at a 50% discount.
Submission fees are exclusive of VAT, unless the company is based in Switzerland. VAT, when applicable, has to be declared locally.
No Further Fees: Unlike some other design awards and competitions, there are no further fees for winning the award: Everything listed in the winner’s benefits will be provided free of charge.
DEADLINES & DISCOUNT – AIDA AWARDS 2026
- 20% Early Bird discount until October 31st, 2025
- 10% Extended Early Bird discount until November 30th, 2025
- Regular Deadline until February 15th, 2026
- Final Deadline: March 15th, 2026 (10% late fee applies) till March 31st, 2026
- The Program will close on March 31st, 2026