AEI PPA 2026 winners

"I’m so proud of all the great work in the AEC industry once again exemplified by the AEI Professional Project Award submissions. All of the submissions showcase the tremendous technical ability, creativity and dedication of the talented professionals working together to evolve the design and construction of our built world in beautiful and functional ways to make it more resilient, adaptable, and sustainable."

— Nicholas A. Piteo, P.E., Simpson Gumpertz & Heger | Chair, AEI Professional Project Awards

Best Overall Project

• Best Overall Project (greater than $100 million) –  Emory University: Health Sciences Research Building II, by Vanderweil
• Best Overall Project (less than $100 million) – Davey Tree SEED Campus & Training Center, by SmithGroup

Most Innovative

• Most Innovative Project (greater than $100 million) – Emory University: Health Sciences Research Building II, by Vanderweil
• Most Innovative Project (less than $100 million) – Double-Water Low-Carbon Community, by Zheijiang Univeristy (ZJU) Nighai Architecture Design Institute, Ltd

Architectural Engineering Integration

• Award of Excellence – Harvard Graduate School of Design: Gund Hall, by Vanderweil
• Award of Merit – Emory University: Health Sciences Research Building II, Vanderweil
• Award of Merit – The National WWII Museum, by Altieri

Construction Management and Methods

• Award of Excellence – Harvard Graduate School of Design: Gund Hall, by Vanderweil
• Award of Merit – Emory University: Health Sciences Research Building II, by Vanderweil
• Award of Merit – The Atlantic Council Relocation, by Davis Construction 

Electrical Systems Design

• Award of Excellence – MetroHealth Systems Glick Center, by HGA
• Award of Merit – Emory University: Health Sciences Research Building II, by Vanderweil
• Award of Merit – Davey Tree SEED Campus & Training Center, by SmithGroup

Lighting Systems Design

• Award of Excellence – Harvard Graduate School of Design: Gund Hall, by Vanderweil
• Award of Merit – Michigan State University Multicultural Center, by SmithGroup 
• Award of Merit – Grove City College Smith Hall of Science, by SmithGroup

Mechanical Systems Design

• Award of Excellence – Emory University: Health Sciences Research Building II, by Vanderweil  
• Award of Merit – MetroHealth Systems Glick Center, by HGA
• Award of Merit – Davey Tree SEED Campus & Training Center, by SmithGroup 

Renovation

• Award of Excellence – 11 & 15 E26th Street Renovation Project, by Thornton Tomasetti

Repair/Rehab

• Award of Excellence – Harvard Graduate School of Design: Gund Hall, by Vanderweil 

Structural Systems Design

• Award of Excellence – Double-Water Low-Carbon Community, by Zhejiang University (ZJU) Ninghai Architecture Design Institute, Ltd
• Award of Merit – 11 & 15 E26th Street Renovation Project, by Thornton Tomasetti 
• Award of Merit – Davey Tree SEED Campus & Training Center, by SmithGroup

Sustainability [Life Cycle] 

• Award of Excellence – Harvard Graduate School of Design: Gund Hall, by Vanderweil
• Award of Merit – Emory University: Health Sciences Research Building II, by Vanderweil
• Award of Merit – Double-Water Low-Carbon Community Center, by Zhejiang University (ZJU) Ninghai Architecture Design Institute, Ltd

See past winners