Celebrating Architectural Excellence in NYC

On January 12, 2026, the AIA New York announces the winners of its prestigious Design Awards. For the commercial sector, this list is a forecast of what is considered “best in class.” This year, we anticipate a strong showing for adaptive reuse projects—transforming pre-war industrial spaces into net-zero corporate headquarters.

The jury’s selection criteria have increasingly weighed social impact and carbon footprint alongside aesthetic form. Winning projects in the Interiors category are likely to showcase bio-based materials and radical transparency in sourcing—a standard that all NYC commercial designers should aspire to.

Trends to Watch in Winning Projects

• Adaptive Reuse: The creative revitalization of stranded assets.
• Biophilic Integration: extensive indoor planting systems as air filtration.
• Public-Private Interfaces: Commercial lobbies that serve as community assets.

For a full calendar of architectural events, refer to the Design Agenda.