AZURE Invites Global Designers to Enter the 2026 AZ Awards

The AZ Awards return for their 16th edition, inviting architects, interior designers, product creators, and emerging studios to submit their most compelling work. Organized by AZURE Media, this internationally acclaimed competition has become a benchmark for excellence in architecture, design, and urban innovation. Entries are open until February 13, 2026, with an early-bird deadline on January 23, 2026. More details and submission guidelines are available on AZ Awards.

Celebrating Design Excellence Worldwide

Since its inception, the AZ Awards have spotlighted projects that push creative and technological boundaries. Each year, hundreds of entries arrive from studios across the globe, competing in 31 subcategories spanning architecture, interiors, landscape, products, and experiential design. Winners gain international visibility through AZURE’s global media network and the July/August 2026 issue of AZURE Magazine.

A Jury of Visionaries

The 2026 jury gathers prominent figures in contemporary design, including Jonathan Garnett of Modellus Novus (New York), Jonas Pettersson and John Lofgren of Form Us With Love (Stockholm), and Loreta Castro Reguera of Taller Capital (Mexico City). Their combined perspectives ensure that creativity, innovation, and purpose are equally recognized.

New Categories and Broader Reach

This year’s competition expands its reach with the EMERGING Awards, celebrating firms under ten years old. The new subcategories in Interiors—Retail & Hospitality, Healthcare, Workspace, and Institutional—reflect a growing demand for inclusive and sustainable environments. A new Design category also welcomes Housewares and Tech Products, merging physical craft with digital innovation. Additionally, a published longlist will give more designers a platform ahead of final jury selection.

Recognition Beyond the Trophy

Winners are honored at the annual gala in Toronto, attended by over 500 industry leaders and peers. Each recipient receives the coveted AZ Awards trophy, reimagined annually by a renowned designer such as Marie-Christine Dorner or Karim Rashid. Alongside the physical award, winners enjoy global media exposure through AZURE’s digital channels and a professional press kit distribution via v2com newswire. The event’s Gala Sponsor for 2026 is Vicostone, underscoring the industry’s shared commitment to design excellence.

The AZ Awards continue to be more than a competition—it is a global conversation about design’s ability to inspire, improve, and transform our built world. Submissions are now open online through AZ Awards.