Winners selected by the public in open voting starting September 8 will be announced on October 1 at Designight 2026, AIA Chicago‘s signature award program, at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Millennium Park
AIA Chicago, the second largest local chapter of The American Institute of Architects and the collective voice of over 3,500 licensed architects, emerging professionals, architecture students, and allied professionals, today announced the finalists for the 2026 Lerch Bates People’s Choice Awards presented in partnership with the Chicago Architecture Center (CAC). The winners, as selected by the public in open voting, will be announced at Designight 2026, an event which honors Chicago architects’ global design achievements, to be held at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Millennium Park on Thursday, October 1, 2026.
“Chicagoans are known for their savvy opinions on the latest architectural designs in a city known for its architecture and architects,” said AIA Chicago’s Executive Director Jen Masengarb. “And this year’s finalists for the Lerch Bates People’s Choice Award provide them with a wide variety of innovative architecture to weigh in on – from affordable housing to single family homes and schools to museums and hospitals.”
These finalists’ designs were chosen by Chicago Architecture Center’s Docents and Volunteers in a round one jury review from more than 200 projects submitted for AIA Chicago’s Design Excellence Awards. Starting Sep. 8, the public can vote for their favorite architectural designs in ten categories online at AIAChicago.org/Vote. Voting ends at 11:59 pm on Wednesday, September 16.
The finalists for the 2026 Lerch Bates People’s Choice Awards in ten categories are:
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Encuentro Square, Canopy; Chicago, IL
Grace Manor, JGMA; Chicago, IL
The Haven on Lincoln, Gensler; Chicago, IL
UNITED YARDS – 1A, DesignBridge Ltd; Chicago, IL
COMMUNITY & CIVIC
Aspire Center for Workforce Innovation, LJC; Chicago, IL
Chicago Transit Authority Red Purple Modernization, EXP; Chicago, IL
Evanston Ecology Center, Nurture Architects; Evanston, IL
West Bund Convention Center, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM); Shanghai, China
CULTURAL & MUSEUM
James & Elizabeth Bramsen Tropical Forests, Goettsch Partners; Brookfield, IL
National Public Housing Museum, LBBA Architects; Chicago, IL
Pritzker Military Museum & Library, Jahn/; Somers, WI
Shedd Aquarium Experience Evolution Phase II, Valerio Dewalt Train; Chicago, IL
EDUCATION & RESEARCH
Crow Island School, Perkins&Will; Winnetka, Illinois
Ehrman Crest Elementary and Middle School, CannonDesign; Seneca Valley PA
Kalamazoo RESA Career Connect Center, DLR Group; Kalamazoo, MI
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Chemistry, CannonDesign; Milwaukee, WI
HEALTHCARE
Beloved Community Family Wellness Addition, Converge Architecture; Chicago, IL
Northwestern Medicine Bronzeville Outpatient Center, LJC; Chicago, IL
Sankofa Village Wellness Center, Moody Nolan & Converge Architecture; Chicago, IL
Thresholds | Center for Health and Mental Wellbeing, DesignBridge, Ltd; Chicago, IL
HOSPITALITY & RETAIL
Atrium Club at 25 E Washington, geniant Eastlake; Chicago, IL
Double Clutch Brewing Company, SCALA+MANA; Evanston, IL
Jackson Lake Lodge Restoration, Nurture Architects; Moran, WY
Millennium Park Pavilion, SCALA+MANA; Chicago, IL
MULTIFAMILY RESIDENTIAL
1000M, Jahn/; Chicago, IL
7220 McDowell Mountain, Optima, Inc.; Scottsdale, AZ
Raye, SCB; Shaker Heights, OH
The Dylan, bKL Architecture; Chicago, IL
OFFICE
Neal Gerber & Eisenberg, Gensler; Chicago, IL
RBB – Russell Burns Building, LJC; St. Louis, MO
Sany IROOTECH Headquarters, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM); Guangdong, China
The Bell, SCB & Ste. Marie; Chicago, IL
SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL/NEW CONSTRUCTION
Evanston’s First Passive House, Kipnis Architecture + Planning; Evanston, IL
Lakewood Balmoral Residence, Wheeler Kearns Architects; Chicago, IL
Shoreline Reflections, Robbins Architecture and Interiors; IL
Strata House, dSPACE Studio; Avon, CO
SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL/RENOVATION/ADAPTIVE REUSE
House on the Park, Studio Dwell Architects; Chicago, IL
Midcentury for the Next Century, TBDA; Arlington Heights, IL
The Lantern House, 34-Ten Architecture; Chicago, IL
Vintage Lincoln Park Residence, SMNG A Ltd.; Chicago, IL
Other awards to be given at Designight 2026 on October 1 include the AIA Chicago 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award presented by Clune Construction Company, conferred upon Lamar A. Johnson, FAIA, LEED AP, AIA Chicago’s 2026 Firm Award presented by Pepper Construction, conferred upon Studio Gang, and the 2026 Design Excellence Awards, Divine Detail Award, Decarbonization Award and Roberta Feldman Architect for Social Justice Award. Finalists for these juried awards are listed here.
Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Millennium Park
205 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601
Thursday, October 1, 2026
6:00 PM to 7:30 PM with After Party to follow
To purchase Award Ceremony tickets call or visit:
Harris Theater Box Office: 312-334-7777
Harris Theater Website: https://www.harristheaterchicago.org/box-office
Harris Theater Address: 205 East Randolph Drive
Theater rental and services have been underwritten through support of the Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Millennium Park.
To purchase combined Awards Ceremony and After Party tickets visit: AIAChicago.org/Designight2026
About AIA Chicago
With a membership exceeding 3,500 individuals—including licensed architects, architectural designers, and a broad network of industry partners and students—AIA Chicago is one of the largest and most influential local chapters of The American Institute of Architects in the country. AIA Chicago’s mission builds on the city’s architectural legacy by advocating for the profession, sharing knowledge among members, and partnering with communities. The chapter fosters a culture of design excellence for equitable, sustainable places and spaces.
AIA Chicago offers lectures and continuing education courses; specialized, issue-specific Knowledge Communities; advocacy for architects; and help for consumers looking for an architect.
AIA Chicago is the local Chicago chapter of The American Institute of Architects. Based in Washington, D.C., the AIA has been the leading professional membership association for licensed architects, emerging professionals, and allied partners since 1857. Learn more by visiting AIAChicago.org.
About Lerch Bates
Lerch Bates, headquartered in Denver, CO., is a global technical consulting services firm with locations around the globe. For 75 years Lerch Bates has advised architects, developers, building investors, owners and managers on the design, construction, management optimization, modernization and sustainability of a wide spectrum of building systems for any size or type of building. Their specialties include vertical transportation, enclosures & structures, building logistics, facade access, and forensics. For more information, visit www.lerchbates.com.