The awards
Do you create visionary buildings, innovative products and sustainable communication? Awards are conferred on those who generate new ideas in the categories of Architecture, Concept, Communication, Interior and Product.
Do you belong in this group? Join us and enter now!
Registration
The registration deadline for the ICONIC AWARDS 2023: Innovative Architecture has already passed.
Announcement
Detailed information on participation and the competition can be found in our application documents. Download the PDF file here.
February 2023
Call for applications 2023
31 March 2023
Early Bird deadline
5 May 2023
Deadline for online registration
17 May 2023
Jury session
September 2023
Announcement of the winners
4 October 2023
Awards ceremony 2023
Your path to success
Create an account
Register in our online database »My Design Council« mdc.german-design-council.de by using the button above (»Register here«). Log in with your access data or register as a new user.
Registration
For the online registration of your submission you will need a short description in English and German and at least one image. After that, complete your registration bindingly.
Please note: Participation in the competition and a possible award are subject to fees.
Delivery
Upload your digital submission for the jury session by 5 May 2023. This will take place on 17 May. You will be informed about the jury’s results in writing.
Benefits
IN THE FOCUS OF THE INDUSTRY
The ICONIC AWARDS: Innovative Architecture guarantees you international attention in the industry — because only the best innovative achievements are honoured with awards.
Nominated for the premier prize
When you win an ICONIC AWARD: Innovative Architecture prize, your product is automatically nominated for the German Design Awards 2024.
Our reach for you
Take advantage of our far-reaching communications work for the ICONIC AWARDS: Innovative Architecture via our media distribution lists and social media channels.
EXPAND YOUR NETWORK
Establish contacts to relevant industry representatives Innovative Architecture via the ICONIC AWARDS: Innovative Architecture.
A stage for the best
As a winner, you'll be invited to our awards ceremony in Munich, to be held on the occasion of the EXPO REAL trade show.
Our marketing services
Use the winner label as a communication tool within and beyond your industry.
Prominent placement
Winners are portrayed in our ICONIC Magazine and presented online in the ICONIC DIRECTORY.
Awards ceremony 2022
The awards ceremony of the ICONIC AWARDS 2022: Innovative Architecture took place on October 4th at the Pinakothek der Moderne in Munich.
This is where the heart of the brands beats. Right in the middle and directly at the pulse of the city. BMW Welt inspires visitors from all over the world and has long since become a Munich trademark. Because this is where award-winning architecture meets great visions and automotive passion.
Video: signaturefilms.de / Oliver Hardt, Christoph Weigand
Source: German Design Council / Photos: Sofieke van Bilsen
Categories
Architecture
The whole world of buildings, from concept stores to cafés, from theatres to recreational parks.
more
Retail
Branded spaces, shops, concept stores, showrooms, department stores, shopping centres, outlets, etc.
Hospitality
Hotels, spas and wellness resorts, bars, cafés, restaurants etc.
Domestic
Prefab buildings, detached homes, care homes, landscape planning, garden planning and landscape architecture, etc.
Corporate
Company buildings, office buildings, factories, warehouses, landscape planning, etc.
Public / Culture / Education
Museums, concert halls, theatres, opera houses, landscape planning, landscape architecture, bridges, schools, day-care centres, churches, hospitals, stadiums, admin buildings, sports facility, monuments, education buildings, train or bus stations etc
Event/Exhibition
Exhibitions, special settings, trade fair stands, pop-up stores, events, etc.
Urban Planning
Plazas, streets, outdoor areas, renovation, conversion, villages, regions, urban branding, urban/district and community developement, sports facility, urban furnishings etc.
Special
Interior
The whole world of interior design, including retail, public-sector buildings, residential housing and corporate complexes.
more
Retail
Branded spaces, shops, concept stores, showrooms, department stores, shopping centres, outlets, etc.
Domestic
Prefab buildings, detached homes, care homes, etc.
Corporate
Company buildings, office buildings, business premises, factories, warehouses, etc.
Public
Museums, concert halls, theatres, opera houses, schools, day-care centres, churches, hospitals, stadiums, admin buildings, etc.
Hospitality
Hotels, spa and wellness resorts, bars, cafés, restaurants, etc.
Special
Communication
Outstanding holistic communication, for example in trade show stands, advertising campaigns or corporate design.
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B2B Communication
Trade fair stands, ad campaigns, ads, flyers, brochures, catalogues, outdoor advertising, websites, image films, architectural photography, books etc.
B2C Communication
Trade fair stands, book publications, ad campaigns, ads, brochures, flyers, outdoor advertising, websites, image films, architectural photography, catalogues, etc.
Corporate Design
Branding, websites, letterhead stationery, business cards, flyers, posters, banners, signs, flags, etc.
Signposting System
Guidance systems for cities, public institutions, office and business premises, shopping centres, detached homes, etc.
Special
Product
All products that are permanently built in, e.g. facades, doors, sanitary objects and building technology.
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Facades
Paint, insulation, plaster, windows, doors, balconies, materials, fittings, railings, etc.
Wall, Floor, Ceiling
Tiles, wallpaper, plaster, carpets, parquet, materials, floor laminates, ceiling elements, etc.
Energy Solutions
Solar thermal, photovoltaics, materials, biomass, solar energy systems, etc.
Sanitation
Fittings, bathtubs, kitchen sink, shower trays, bathroom furniture, kitchen furniture, ceramics, materials, swimming pools, saunas, water treatment, etc..
Building Technologies
Illumination concepts, lifts, escalators, doors, windows, radiators, materials, switches and control panels, handles etc.
Special
Concept
Concepts, such as those for urban planning, living space and landscape architecture.
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Urban Planning
Plazas, streets, renovation, conversion, villages, regions, urban branding, urban/district and community developement, etc.
Visionary Living & Working
Concepts and designs for dwellings and workspaces, temporary housing concepts etc.
Visionary Architecture
Concepts and designs for prefab buildings, detached homes, care homes, landscape planning, garden planning and landscape architecture, company buildings, office buildings, business premises, factories, warehouses, etc.
Special
ICONIC AWARDS: Innovative Material
When you enter a project or product in one of the main categories Architecture, Interior or Product, you also have the option of entering it in the superordinate category 'Innovative Material'. The focus here is squarely on the development of sustainable, energy-efficient materials that are also versatile in terms of function as well as design.
Want to learn more about the categories? Simply download our call for entries here.
Announcement 2023Registration and service fees 2023
Registration fees
details
Registration fees
EUR 350 plus VAT
per submission (incl. digital date preparation)
EUR 300 plus VAT
Earl bird rate per submission until 31 March 2023 (incl. digital date preparation)
In exceptional cases, digital datas (films, websites, apps, etc.) can be submitted in the »Communications« category.
Service fees
The following costs are compulsive after being awarded »Selection«, »Winner« or »Best of Best«:
»Selection«
details
Service fee »Selection«
1.500 EUR plus VAT
The award contains:
- – use of the »Selection«-label for your communications
- – two personalised winner documents
- – access to our exclusive marketing services
- – one-page entry in the catalogue, one specimen copy of the catalogue per entrant
- – presentation of the prize-winning project/product in the ICONIC Directory
- – basic public relations communications and social media coverage in relation to the competition
- – attendance at the awards ceremony, optional professional photograph of winners with document
»Winner«
details
Service fees »Winner«
1.900 EUR plus VAT
The award contains:
- – use of the »Winner«-label for your communications
- – two personalised winner documents
- – access to our exclusive marketing services
- – one-page entry in the catalogue, one specimen copy of the catalogue per entrant
- – presentation of the prize-winning project/product in the ICONIC Directory
- – comprehensive public relations communications and social media coverage in relation to the competition
- – attendance at the awards ceremony, optional professional photograph of winners with document. Following the ceremony, all »Winner« projects will be presented to the guests through a digital presentation on screen.
»Best of Best«
Details
Serviceg fees »Best of Best«
2,500 EUR plus VAT
The award contains:
- – use of the »Best of Best«-label for your communications
- – two personalised winner documents, one in a high-quality frame
- – access to our exclusive marketing services
- – two-page entry in the catalogue, one specimen copy of the catalogue per entrant
- – presentation of the prize-winning project/product in the ICONIC Directory
- – Exclusive public relations communications and social media coverage in relation to the competition
- – attendance at the awards ceremony, on-stage presentation of prize sculpture and personalised document, with professional photograph taken.
Grant programme
The German Design Council offers all small companies and start-ups the opportunity to obtain an exemption from the possible winner's fees via a request for support.
details
Our grant programme
The German Design Council offers all small companies and start-ups the opportunity to obtain an exemption from the possible winner's fees for the »Selection«, »Winner« and »Best of Best« awards via a request for support.
The prerequisite for support is an annual turnover of up to EUR 50,000 in the last two years. Funds will be released after a thorough review of the firm’s financial situation.
The application must be filed no later than 31 March 2023 (the date of receipt by the German Design Council is what counts in this regard).
Download the application for our grant programme.
Detailed information can be found in our announcement documents 2023.
Jury members 2023
Ben van Berkel
Founder / Principal Architect UNStudio
more
Ben van Berkel studied architecture at the Rietveld Academy in Amsterdam and at the Architectural Association in London. In 1988 he and Caroline Bos set up UNStudio, an architectural practice in Amsterdam. He realised amongst others the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, Arnhem central Station in the Netherlands, the Raffles City mixed-use development in Hangzhou, the Canaletto Tower in London Current projects include the STH BNK by Beulah mixed-use development in Melbourne, the ChamartÍn Station masterplan in Madrid, ‘Four’ a large-scale mixed-use project in Frankfurt and the wasl Tower in Dubai. Ben van Berkel has lectured and taught at many architectural schools around the world. Among other positions he held from 2011 to 2018 the Kenzo Tange Visiting Professor's Chair at Harvard University Graduate School of Design. Currently he holds the IE School of Architecture and Design MArch Thesis Chair.
Fabian Peters
Editor-in-Chief BAUMEISTER
Munich
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Fabian Peters has been editor-in-chief of the monthly architecture magazine BAUMEISTER with editorial headquarters in Munich since 2020. He previously worked as architecture and design editor at the digital magazine Stylepark in Frankfurt am Main. Peters studied art history and journalism in Münster and received his doctorate with a thesis on the early work of Peter Behrens.
Virginia Lung
Co-founder of One Plus Partnership
Hongkong
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Virginia Lung is co-founder of One Plus Partnership. After she was graduated from University of Oregon with a bachelor’s in interior architecture, she has been dedicated herself into interior design industry. One Plus is a Hong Kong-based interior design firm established in 2004. They designed a variety of commercial venues including cinemas, retail stores, clubhouses and sales offices. One Plus’s projects are theme drive, which means the designers will search for a theme matches the project and trying to involve related elements into every detail. Over the past 19 years, One Plus has been awarded more than 800 international awards globally. Virginia has been the judge in various international competitions including German Design Award, INSIDE Festival of Interiors (UK), NeoCon (US), K-Design Award (South Korea) and D&AD (UK).
Wei Wu
Executive Partner at gmp
Shanghai
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After completing his studies in Chongqing, China, Wu Wei worked as an architect in Lanzhou and Shanghai from 1992 to 1994. In 1995 he started further architectural studies at ETH Zurich, where he finished with a Master’s Degree in Architecture (Diplom) in 2000 under Prof. Mario Campi. After working for the Zurich practice Skyline Architecture, Wu joined gmp · Architects von Gerkan, Marg and Partners in 2001, where he initially started as Head Representative of the offices in Beijing and Shanghai. In 2004 he became an Associate Partner, in 2009 Partner for China, in 2019 Partner and Executive Partner in 2021.
Lone Wiggers
Partner & Architect, C.F. Møller Architects
Copenhagen
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Lone Wiggers is an architect and has been a partner at C.F. Møller Architects since 1997. C.F. Møller Architects has approximately 300 employees in eight offices in Denmark, Sweden, Norway, United Kingdom, and Germany. Lone Wiggers works with strategy and concept development as well as process management and consultancy within architecture, client consultancy, planning, and development. Further, she has been a spearhead for sustainable architecture in both practice and theory for several years.
FAQ
HOW MANY PARTICIPANTS ATTENDED LAST YEAR?
All in all, the ICONIC AWARDS 2022: Innovative Architecture 737 entries from 43 countries.
IN WHICH CATEGORIES CAN I SUBMIT MY PROJECT?
The competition is divided into five categories. You can find them here.
WHICH AWARDS ARE PRESENTED?
»Selection«, »Winner« and »Best of Best«. The jury of experts awards the special prizes »Architects of the Year«, »Interior Designers of the Year« and the honorary prize »Architects' Client of the Year«.
WHERE CAN I REGISTER FOR THE AWARDS?
Registration is via My Design Council.
WHO IS ADMITTED TO THE AWARDS?
All companies and studios whose projects fit into the categories.
CAN I REGISTER A PROJECT THAT HAS ALREADY WON ANOTHER GERMAN DESIGN COUNCIL AWARD?
Yes.
IS THERE A LIMITED NUMBER OF PROJECTS I CAN ENTER FOR THE AWARDS?
No.
HOW OLD CAN THE SUBMITTED PROJECT BE?
The project may not be older than 5 years at the time of the jury meeting.
WHAT ARE THE DATES AND DEADLINES?
All dates and deadlines can be downloaded here.
WHAT ARE THE COSTS AND FEES?
A registration fee will be charged for each registered project. Depending on the award, additional fees may apply. Information on the costs of the ICONIC AWARDS 2023: Innovative Architecture can be found in the application documents.
CAN I BE EXEMPTED FROM THE FEES?
The German Design Council offers all small businesses and start-ups the opportunity to be exempted from the possible winning fees by means of a funding application. Details can be found in our application documents.