May 27, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CHICAGO - Innovative projects come from innovative ideas, which come from innovative people--and the 2026 IDEAS Awards are looking for all of the above!

The structural steel industry's flagship design awards, presented by the American Institute of Steel Construction and Building Design+Construction, are now accepting entries! IDEAS Award-winning projects stay in the spotlight for a full year in national publications, online, and at NASCC: The Steel Conference.

As always, the goal is to showcase the steel projects that demonstrate excellence in adaptive reuse, architecture, constructability, engineering, and sustainable design and construction.

But this year, there's a newcomer. The IDEAS|next Award highlights a great idea that's still on the boards. As long as a concept has a site and a client, it's eligible! (And how cool would it be to win an award before even breaking ground?)

"For decades, AISC has showcased the finest design work in the country--from landmark projects that everyone knows to smaller projects whose size belies their innovations," said AISC Director of Architecture Nima Balasubramanian, AIA, NOMA. "It's our honor to continue to find the best structural steel projects in the country, whether it's something tangible or still a 'what if?' in an architect’s office."

Entries are due September 30, 2025. For more information (or to get inspired by past winners), please visit aisc.org/ideas.