As the early entry deadline for the fourth annual A+Awards approaches, AA has decided to look back at how far this program has come and the exciting road it is headed on this year.

Architizer’s A+Awards — a worldwide program designed to recognize the globe’s best architecture and products — was born in 2012 on the back of one key belief: that great architecture is for everyone.

Using the power of the internet, social media, and a wealth of other platforms, the A+Awards was designed to bring architecture to the masses while getting the best designers on the planet the recognition they deserve.

In its inaugural year, the awards program sparked the imagination of design enthusiasts across the globe. Since then, it has become one of the world’s largest awards programs for architecture, with over 100 categories and media impressions of over 300 million for every winning project.

2012–13: The Big Launch

On October 9th, 2012, Architizer founder Marc Kushner announced a different kind of competition, declaring: “Enough with that echo chamber where architects tell other architects which architects they like. The industry needs to break out and the A+Awards are designed to do it.”

The A+Awards was then launched with over 200 jurors from the world of architecture, design, technology, and development. More than 50 categories were chosen for their relevancy to modern design, and a striking contemporary trophy was crafted by experimental studio Snarkitecture.

The diverse jury included top names from the world of architecture — Steven Holl, Bjarke Ingels, and Charles Renfro, to name just a few — but it also included cultural leaders and business luminaries who understand the power of great architecture and its positive impact. These people included John Edelman of Design Within Reach, Jason Millhouse of the Ritz Carlton, Roy Kim of Extell Development, Charles Adler of Kickstarter, and Barry Bergdoll of MoMA.

In May 2013, the first gala was a roaring success, with 87 big winners announced to a host of attendees including hugely significant cultural figures from President Mikheil Saakashvili of Georgia to fashion designer Thom Browne.

 2013–14: Presenting Products

One of the most significant highlights for 2013 was the introduction of products to the awards program. Given the importance of building products and interior design in the creation of great buildings, it was only right that the creative pioneers within these realms were given recognition in the same way that architects are. Further award categories were added in architecture, too, keeping up with emerging technological innovations and new urban typologies.

New jurors for the second annual A+Awards included real estate developer and investor Harry Macklowe and architects such as Denise Scott Brown and Liz Diller.

 2014–15: Billboards

In May 2015,  A+Awards was given its most exciting platform yet: winning projects were displayed on one of Times Square’s iconic billboards, giving architects’ best works exposure on a huge, eight-story display.

More eminent figures from many disciplines joined the jury panel, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Beatrice Galilee, Airbnb founder Joe Gebbia, architect Sou Fujimoto, and Pentagram founder Michael Bierut.

2015–16: ???

With a series of new categories designed to reflect the changing face of architecture, the potential for success is even higher. And, with an accessible online voting system, the competition promises to be the most democratic yet. New jurors include globally renowned architect Jeanne Gang of Studio Gang, Marion Weiss of Weiss/Manfredi, Mohsen Mostafavi, Dean of the Graduate School of Design at Harvard University, and Susan Sellers, Head of Design at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The winners will also be present at the 2016 A+Awards gala, a black-tie event that forms the definitive celebration of great architecture, stunning landscapes, and groundbreaking products.

To be there make sure to enter your proudest work for consideration now. For more information on this year’s program, and to enter, check out the dedicated A+Awards page, now.