The awards

Information and benefits

Do you design pioneering buildings, develop holistic interior design, innovative products or sustainably effective brand communication??

Raise your profile with an award from the ICONIC AWARDS: Innovative Architecture and show that you are one of the best designers in the industry. This award recognises those who set new impulses and find sustainable solutions!

Are you one of them? Take part!

The award honours both young designers and the finest achievements of internationally renowned architecture firms, design studios, innovative manufacturers and committed real estate companies.

Registration

The registration for the ICONIC AWARDS 2024: Innovative Architecture is open!

Announcement

Detailed information on participation and the competition can be found in our application documents. Download the PDF file here.

6 March 2024

Call for applications 2024

5 April 2024

Early Bird deadline

17 May 2024

Deadline for online registration

5 June 2024

Jury session

September 2024

Announcement of the winners

7 October 2024

Awards ceremony 2024

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 17th May 2024. This will take place on 5th June. You will be informed about the jury’s results in writing.

Benefits

IN THE FOCUS OF THE INDUSTRY

The ICONIC AWARDS: Innovative Architecture secure you the international attention of the industry ­– because only pioneering top performances are honoured.

GREATER REACH FOR YOUR PROJECT

You benefit from our extensive press work via our media distribution lists, social media channels, our media partners ndion, atrium, meter, archdaily, designboom and competitiononline, and collaborations with (online) trade magazines.

EXPAND YOUR NETWORK

Every year, the award ceremony in Munich becomes a meeting place for the brightest minds in the international architecture industry and gives you the opportunity to present your project and network.

AN INTERNATIONAL HALLMARK FOR YOUR PROJECT

Use the winning label for your communication - in the industry and beyond. As a winner, you will also receive access to exclusive marketing tools.

PROMINENTLY PLACED

Winning projects are presented in a high-quality publication and are permanently on display in our online showroom, the ICONIC Directory.

Awards ceremony 2023

 

The awards ceremony of the ICONIC AWARDS 2023: Innovative Architecture took place on October 4th at the Pinakothek der Moderne in Munich.

The iconic architecture of Coop Himmelb(l)au inspires visitors from all over the world and has long since become a trademark of the city. In this inspiring and extraordinary setting, we celebrate the winners of the ICONIC AWARDS: Innovative Architecture and give them a stage.

 

Video: signaturefilms.de / Oliver Hardt, Christoph Weigand

Source: German Design Council / Photos: Jan Schimitzek

Categories

Architecture

From urban concepts and green space planning, cultural buildings and educational institutions, hotels and restaurants to residential buildings, workplaces and hospitals. New constructions, revitalizations, and conversions of all kinds.

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

From exceptional retail concepts, restaurants, bars, and hotel facilities to the design of living spaces, offices, care facilities, and hospitals.

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 – at trade show booths, in advertising campaigns, or corporate designs for architectural firms, word-image brands for real estate projects, and urban concepts.

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 installed: from facades and doors to stairs and sanitary objects, as well as building technology.

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, stairs, escalators, doors, windows, radiators, materials, switches and control panels, handles etc.


Special

Concept

Visionary ideas and (yet) unrealized concepts in the fields of city and architectural design, as well as interior design.

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 award particularly honours the innovative, careful and climate-conscious use of resources as well as particularly sustainable, energy-efficient and functionally and creatively versatile materials.

Registration and service fees 2024

Registration fees

Registration fees

EUR 350 plus VAT
per submission (incl. digital date preparation)

EUR 300 plus VAT
Earl bird rate per submission until 5 April 2024 (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«

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«

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«

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.

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 19 April 2024 (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 2024.

Jury members 2024

Virginia Lung

Co-founder of One Plus Partnership

Hongkong

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

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.

May-Britt Frank-Grosse

Editor-in-chief, baunetz interior|design

 

May-Britt Frank-Grosse studied architecture in Cottbus and Suttgart and has been working as an architecture and design journalist since 2006. In 2014, she completed a certificate programme in Sustainability and Communication at Leuphana University Lüneburg. She has been editor-in-chief of the online magazine baunetz interior|design since 2019 and a member of the advisory board of Berlin International University of Applied Sciences since 2021. Her work focuses on the holistic communication of topics relating to (interior) architecture and sustainable building.

Carsten Schmidt

Associate Partner, Topotek 1

Carsten Schmidt completed his Bachelor's degree in Political Science and Chinese Studies, as well as a Bachelor's degree in Communication at the University of Tübingen in 2015. Shortly thereafter, he graduated from Cornell University with a Master of Landscape Architecture and a Master of City and Regional Planning. After collaborating with Cornell University on an initiative for climate-adaptive design to support local communities along the Hudson River, he joined Topotek 1. There, he quickly progressed from landscape architect to senior architect and became a project manager. Today, he is responsible for a range of local and international projects, spanning from feasibility studies to large-scale urban developments. Carsten has been a partner at Topotek 1 since 2021 and oversees projects in the MENA region.

Daniel Blum

Associate Partner at IttenBrechbühl

Daniel Blum is an architect, professor, and Associate Partner at IttenBrechbühl Basel. He is also a co-founder of the Design Hub IB Atelier and initiated the UTOPIA student competition series. He completed his architecture studies at TU Darmstadt and ETH Zurich, where he was taught by Peter Märkli and Josep Lluis Mateo, earning his diploma from Mateo in 2006. Since 2014, Daniel Blum has been involved in architectural education, regularly giving lectures and participating as a member of architectural juries. His projects are exhibited both in Switzerland and internationally, including at the Architecture Biennales in Venice in 2021 and 2023. Before joining IttenBrechbühl in 2017, he worked at renowned architecture firms such as David Chipperfield Architects in London and Diener & Diener Architekten in Basel. In 2017, Daniel Blum joined IttenBrechbühl and was appointed Associate Partner in 2022. Since 2023, he has held a professorship in architecture and building construction at the Münster School of Architecture MSA. Additionally, he is a member of the board of trustees of the Swiss Architecture Museum S AM. His extensive experience and involvement in various aspects of architecture make him a significant figure in the field.

Karim El-Ishmawi

Managing Director & Co-Founder, Kinzo Architekten

Karim El-Ishmawi is an architect and co-founder of Kinzo, an international architecture and interior design firm specializing in interior design, existing building construction, and placemaking. It was founded in 2005 by Karim El-Ishmawi, Martin Jacobs, and Chris Middleton. The multidisciplinary teams in Berlin and Munich guide projects from consultation and analysis to strategy, conception, planning, and implementation. He has worked on projects for clients such as adidas, Nike, SoundCloud, and Zalando. He studied architecture at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago and at the Technical University of Berlin in 2003. Additionally, he worked as a guest professor at the renowned Boston Wentworth Institute of Technology.

FAQ

HOW MANY PARTICI­PANTS ATTENDED LAST YEAR?

All in all, the ICONIC AWARDS 2023: Innovative Architecture had 620 entries from 37 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 2024: 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.