3 ways to improve your architecture awards entries
Sounds Like Design’s CPD Awards Workshop recording is jam-packed with insider knowledge, strategic marketing tips and practical suggestions that will help you to:
improve your chances of winning an award;
generate media coverage of your projects; and
connect and engage with future clients.
Taking this approach to awards allows you to unlock the value of your awards investment – because awards can be an expensive marketing exercise – to increase your ROI and pay dividends throughout the entire year.
And – further to last week’s Q&A with architect Talina Edwards, which you can read here – two other attendees at the 2020 workshop provided highly favourable reviews, and recommended it to other architects.
Jenny Edwards, owner and founder of Light House Architecture + Science in Canberra rated the workshop 9 out of 10, saying it was “very motivating” and recommending it because the content was “so practical and inspiring”.
In 2020, Jenny entered Light House projects and practitioners into several different awards programs, and collected the following accolades:
three National HIA Greensmart awards for three different projects;
a People’s Choice award at the ACT Architecture Awards; and
principal architect Sarah Lebner won the National Emerging Architect Prize; while
Christine Palmer won the ACT Chapter’s John Redmond Prize.
Jenny said that one of the most useful insights from the workshop was the reminder to focus on the types of projects you want to do more of, going forwards.
The Fab-Ode by Light House Architecture + Science. Photography by Ben Wrigley.
“That led me to focus strongly on The Fab-ode project – a very modest project not typical of projects entered into awards,” she explains. “The results were amazing, and we were so pleased and proud to show people what is possible with existing homes and smaller budgets.”
After submitting her entries, Jenny repurposed the entry text – using the supplied workbook – into new content for other marketing purposes. These included applications for Sustainable House Day (x 3!); various presentations such as the National Energy Efficiency Conference; and content for the Light House website, Facebook and Houzz albums, and Instagram.
Meanwhile, David Gibson – co-founder of PTX Architects in Denmark, WA with partner Melanie Hoessle – also attended the workshop and gave it a score of 9 out of 10, saying he’d revise that upwards to 10 once they finish implementing its various strategies.
Little River House by PTX Architects. Photography by Bo Wong.
One of PTX’s key takeaways was the decision to commission a copywriter to tweak their entry copy, and David and Melanie received an AIA Commendation from the WA Chapter for their Little River House. The project also featured on the front cover of the Institute’s Chapter magazine, The Architect.
David said he found value and useful insights in all of the workshop’s main sections including:
Part 1: Awards entry strategy
Part 2: Preparing compelling entries
Part 3: Making marketing gold; and
The case studies from Kerstin Thompson, Adrian Iredale and Andrew Maynard.
Little River House by PTX Architects. Photography by Bo Wong.
The CPD Awards Workshop recording also includes a new case study from John Wardle Architects, one of the most highly awarded and regarded practices, both in Australia and overseas. And you can earn 2 Formal CPD points.
It contains a range of insights from highly regarding architects to help you frame your entries, including guidance from jury chairs about:
perspectives on life and architecture after Covid-19;
a preference for projects that go “above and beyond”;
the changing role of sustainability;
how to incorporate Indigenous perspectives into awards entries; and
the emerging theme of neighbourliness and connection in residential design.
Like Talina Edwards and Jenny Edwards, David Gibson recommends the SLD Awards Workshop to other architects.
”It’s important to consider your entries carefully and maximise their leverage, especially if you’re a small practice like us with a limited marketing budget,” he said.
Edited to add: You can purchase access to the CPD recording here.
And thanks to both Jenny and David for taking the time to share their experiences of the CPD Awards Workshop; and for all of the advocacy they both do in their respective communities about the value of architecture and sustainable design.