• Completion of the online entry form
• Project description uploaded online (500-1,000 words): Statement of project size and cost, statement of architectural accomplishment, statement of structural engineering accomplishment, statement of innovative project teamwork and productivity enhancement 
• High-resolution photographs and drawings of the project uploaded online with credits
• Entry fee of $150 (if any member of the project team is an AISC member, the entry fee is waived)

In 500 to 1,000 words describe the following:

• Applications of innovative design approaches in areas such as connections, gravity systems, lateral load resisting systems, fire protection, and blast protection 
• The aesthetic impact of the project, particularly in the coordination of structural steel elements with other materials
• Innovative uses of architecturally exposed structural steel (AESS)
• Advancements in the use of structural steel, either technically or in the architectural expression
• The use of innovative design and construction methods such as 3D building models, interoperability, early integration of steel fabricators, alternative methods of project delivery and sustainability considerations
  
  

The information provided to the jury should not repeat what is already made clear in the graphic submittal, but it should include project intentions—program requirements, site features, cost data, etc. The description and graphics are necessary to assist the jury in quickly developing a sound understanding of both general characteristics of the building project and the specific way in which it demonstrates design excellence. 

Print quality photographs, images and graphics are important to the judging process and should provide an adequate basis for a sound and comprehensive evaluation of the structure of design.

• Images should be high-resolution (at least 300 dpi), four inches wide or wider, and submitted as jpeg, tiff or eps files
• Images can be of exterior and interior of the structure as well as the construction and erection
• A total of 19 images and/or drawings per entry may be uploaded to the entry form.
• Any necessary credits for photos, images and graphics
• Submitted photographs and images used for exhibition of publication purposes will bear the customary photograph credit line. However, AISC is not responsible for errors or omissions. AISC reserves the privilege of retaining possession of all materials for reproduction and subsequent exhibition. Submitting firms, companies and project photographers agree to the release of the photographs and images submitted for use by AISC.
• If more than one photographer's photos are submitted in an entry, each photo's filename should denote the name of the specific photographer to be credited. (Example of a filename: Willis Tower exterior.JohnSmith.jpg

For examples visit our awards archives. 

Project Details
While the following are not requirements, at a minimum, a selection of exterior, interior and steel construction images—with photo credit designations—should accompany each entry. 

• At least one image showing each exposed side of the building or environment. 
• At least one additional image showing the immediate context of each exposed side of the building or environment (omit if the project's relationship to its environment is clearly defined in other images).
• For a group of buildings, at least one image of the project sufficient to illustrate the concept, including its relationship to its environs.
• For projects involving exterior alterations, at least one images of each altered (exposed side) together with at least one image of the side before alteration (unless evidence is submitted on the unavailability of the latter). 
• A site plan, floor plan and one or more sections sufficient to explain the project solution. 

For examples of past winners visit our IDEAS² photo gallery.

To be eligible, submitters agree to abide by all rules and regulations of AISC's 2019 IDEAS2 Awards program. AISC is not responsible for errors or omissions in entries.

• Building projects in AISC's 2019 competition must be located in the U.S. and be completed between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2018. 
• At least 50% of the structural steel for the project must have been fabricated by a company eligible for AISC full membership or a unique or distinctive feature of the project must have been fabricated by a company eligible for AISC full membership.
• A significant portion of the framing system of a building must be wideflange or hollow structural steel sections (HSS). 
• New buildings, expansions, and renovation projects (major retrofits and rehabilitations) are eligible.
• Pedestrian bridges entered in the competition must be an intrinsic part of a building and not stand-alone structures. If you would like to enter a bridge project, view the National Steel Bridge Alliance's Prize Bridge Awards. 
• Firms and companies may submit multiple building projects. 
• Each submittal will be considered separately. 
• Any member of the project team may enter a project in the awards program. 
• Acceptance of this agreement authorizes AISC to disclose information about the recipient of the award and the building project. 
• Project team members of winning projects should expect to be asked for additional information and commentary about their projects by representatives of AISC and the media. 
• Submitted photographs and images used for exhibition or publication purposes will bear the customary photographer's credit line.  AISC reserves the privilege of retaining possession of all materials for reproduction and subsequent exhibition. Submitting firms and companies and project photographers agree to the release of the photographs and images submitted for use by AISC. 

The judges will consider the project's utilization of structural steel from both an architectural and structural engineering perspective with an emphasis on: 

• A creative solution to the project's program requirements
• Application of innovative design approaches in areas such as connections, gravity systems, lateral load resisting systems, fire protection and blast
• Aesthetic and visual impact of the project particularly in the coordination of structural steel elements with other materials 
• Innovative uses of architecturally exposed structural steel (AESS)
• Advances in the use of structural steel either technically or in architectural expression
• Use of innovative design and construction methods such as 3D building models, interoperability, early integration of specialty contractors such as steel fabricators, alternative methods of project delivery or other productivity enhancements
• Sustainable design