WELCOME
We are delighted to invite you to participate in the 2025 Building Designers Association of Australia (BDAA) National Design Awards Program. This prestigious annual event showcases and celebrates the outstanding achievements and excellence in design in Australia. Our industry continues to evolve, with innovative designs and sustainable solutions becoming increasingly significant. The BDAA National Design Awards is the perfect platform for professionals to demonstrate their creativity, expertise, and commitment to the highest standards in design.
This year’s awards program introduces an exciting new category – Celebrating Excellence in Social, Affordable, and Disability-Responsive Design. In response to strong member interest, we are also pleased to offer the option for entrants to have their business name listed in place of their personal name for a nominal additional fee of $120, payable on top of the standard award entry fees.
We encourage all eligible BDAA members to seize this opportunity to showcase their exceptional work and gain recognition amongst their peers, clients, and the broader industry. The awards program not only provides a chance for members to gain national recognition but also offers valuable media exposure, networking opportunities, and the potential for new business growth.
Winners will be featured in the prestigious Winning Design magazine, and all participants will benefit from the chance to connect with like-minded professionals and industry experts. To help you through the submission process, we have prepared a comprehensive Entry Guide, which outlines the eligibility criteria, submission requirements, and key dates. Be sure to review the guide thoroughly and reach out to the awards Coordinator if you have any questions or need assistance.
We eagerly anticipate seeing your inspiring projects and celebrating the immense talent and dedication within the Australian design community. Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to showcase your work and be recognized for your achievements at the 2025 BDAA National Design Awards.
Wishing you the best of luck in this year’s competition!
BDAA CEO
Chris Knierim
WHY PARTICIPATE IN THE BDAA NATIONAL DESIGN AWARDS?
Gain Recognition and Prestige
Winning a BDAA National Design Award or being shortlisted as a finalist is a significant achievement that can enhance your professional reputation. Showcasing your award-winning projects demonstrates your commitment to design excellence and sets you apar t from your peers.
​
Boost Your Career
Participating in the awards program can lead to increased visibility within the industry, opening doors to new jobopportunities, clients, and collaborations. An award-winning project is a valuable addition to your professional portfolio, making you more attractive to potential employers and clients.
Expand Your Professional Network
The BDAA National Design Awards bring together industry professionals from various disciplines, providing a unique opportunity to expand your professional network, engage in meaningful conversations, and forge new partnerships.
Stay Ahead of Industry Trends
The awards program encourages participants to push the boundaries of their craft, keeping them informed about the latest trends and innovations in building design. By participating, you can gain valuable insights into cutting-edge design practices and stay ahead of the competition.
​
Showcase Your Commitment to Sustainability & Innovation
Participating in the BDAA National Design Awards allows you to highlight your dedication to sustainable and innovative design solutions. This can help raise public awareness of the importance of these principles and encourage the broaderindustry to adopt more sustainable practices.
​
Leverage Promotional & Marketing Opportunities
Award-winning projects often receive extensive media coverage and publicity, which can help raise your profile and attract new clients. Additionally, you can feature the award logo on your website, social media, and print materials, further promoting your success and enhancing your marketing efforts.
PREPARING YOUR SUBMISSION
Selecting the Appropriate Category
Choosing the right category for your project is crucial to ensure it is fairly evaluated and stands the best chance ofwinning. When selecting the appropriate category for your submission, consider the following tips:
-
Review the detailed category descriptions provided in the Entry Guide, paying close attention to the specific criteriaand requirements for each category.
-
Consider the unique aspects of your project that align with the category criteria, such as the building type, design features, sustainability measures, or collaboration efforts.
-
Think about the project’s primary focus and how it best demonstrates your design expertise and innovative approach.
-
Remember that you can submit your project in multiple categories if appropriate, but each submission requires a separate entry and fee​​​​
​
​
​
Media Opportunities
Winning a BDAA National Design Award can open up numerous media opportunities to promote your work and enhance your professional reputation. Some of the potential media opportunities include:
-
Inclusion in the print and digital editions of the Winning Design magazine, featuring your winning project.
-
Press releases and articles in industry publications, blogs, and websites, highlighting your achievement and the merits of your project.
-
Social media coverage by BDAA and other industry influencers, showcasing your work to a wider audience.
-
Opportunities for speaking engagements, webinars, or panel discussions as an award-winning designer.
-
Leveraging these media opportunities can help you attract new clients, establish yourself as an industry leader, and further your career.
​
Photography and Quality Images
High-quality images play a crucial role in showcasing your project to the judging panel and, if your entry is successful, to the wider industry and potential clients. Investing in professional photography is essential to capture the design details, aesthetics, and functionality of your project. When selecting images for your submission, consider the following tips:
-
Choose images that highlight the key design elements and solutions in your project
-
Ensure photographs are well-composed, well-lit, and have a high resolution (minimum 2400 pixels wide in any direction)
-
Include a mix of interior and exterior shots, as well as close-ups and wider views, to provide a comprehensive visual representation of your project
-
Money Shot Image must be included in both portrait and landscape formats.
-
Avoid including any logos, watermarks, or identifying infor mation on the images to maintain anonymity during judging​
Video Content
In today’s visually-driven world, video content is an increasingly powerful tool to showcase your project and tell its unique story. While not a requirement for entry or part of the judging criteria, incorporating video content in your submission can significantly enhance your projects presentation and amplify its marketing potential. Consider the following tips for creating compelling video content:
-
Capture the Journey - From site preparation to key handover and landscaping completion, document the various stages of your project’s construction. This behind-the-scenes footage offers a fascinating glimpse into the design and building process, helping to create a more immersive experience for your audience.
-
Collaborate with your team - Encourage your construction team, subcontractors, and suppliers to capture photos and videos throughout the project’s lifecycle. This collaborative approach ensures you have a diverse range of footage that highlights different aspects of the project and showcases the hard work and expertise of everyone involved.
-
Tell a Compelling Story - Use the collected video snippets to craft a captivating narrative that illustrates the project’s evolution, from initial concept to final completion. This storytelling approach not only demonstrates your design expertise and problem-solving skills but also helps to evoke an emotional connection with your audience.
By incorporating video content into your submission, you’ll benefit from increased visibility and interest, helping to position your fir m as an innovative and forward-thinking industry leader.
ENTERING THE BDAA NATIONAL DESIGN AWARDS
There are four simple steps involved in submitting your entry.
​
1. REGISTER OR LOG IN
If you haven’t already registered or submitted an entry for this year’s program, you will need to register. This creates your account so you can make online project submissions, which you manage and may edit up until submissions close.
Once you have commenced your submission, you can log in and out at any time without losing submission data.
2. CHOOSE AWARD CATEGORY
There are thirty categories which each attract entry fees. Look at the category descriptions to select the most appropriate for your project. Projects may be entered into more than one category where appropriate (each entry requires a separate submission and fee).
3. CREATE ENTRY SUBMISSION
Before beginning your entry submission, read the entry conditions. Submitting an entry means that you have read and agreed to all the Entr y Conditions, including obtaining appropriate releases and authorities in writing from your client, and photographer.
You will be prompted to respond to specific written criteria and upload supporting materials (images, drawings, and other visual material). So that you have a back up, complete responses to written criteria in a Word document, then cut and paste into the relevant parts of the submission form.
Images. You must submit 10 to 20 images of your project in high resolution format. TIF images will not be accepted.
Images should be high resolution, suitable for printing, but maximum file size shall be 10MB each. Minimum image size shall be 2400 pixels wide in any direction. If your images are coming in above the 10MB size limit, try re-saving them in Photoshop and reducing the JPEG compression level to 8.
To maintain anonymity during judging, no design practice names may appear on images, floor plans or written support materials; however, client names may be included.
​
​
4. ENTRY SUBMISSION & PAYMENT
Once you have completed steps two and three you may pay and submit your project.
Early Bird Rates
(Valid from 24 April to 1 June 2025)
-
Primary Entry – $265
-
Secondary Entry – $195
-
Tertiary Entry – $75
Standard Rates (Apply from 2 June to 6 July 2025)
-
Primary Entry – $295
-
Secondary Entry – $235
-
Tertiary Entry – $95
Winners Announced – Saturday 1 November 2025 at the National Design Awards Gala Dinner on the Sunshine Coast.
Each submission and payment are confirmed by the issuing of a tax receipt, sent to your email address.
Retain a copy for taxation purposes. Preferred payment method is Visa and Mastercard.
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​​​​
WRITTEN CRITERIA
The written criteria provide an oppor tunity to showcase your projects strengths and your unique design approach. Make sure to highlight your accomplishments and address each requirement in a concise, engaging manner.
Design Brief
In this section, set the stage for your project by detailing the clients’ requirements and explaining the significance of the brief. Focus on the challenges you faced and how you tackled them to create a compelling narrative. Remember, the more our judges understand the brief, the more they can appreciate your solutions.
Design Solution
This section is your opportunity to shine! Describe how you met or exceeded the clients brief, resolved any issues, and overcame challenges. Highlight the products you chose, why you chose them, and how they improved the project. Be confident in showcasing your skills and the value you brought to the project.
​
Entrant Biography
Share your professional journey, achievements, and unique qualities in this section. Though not part of the judging process, this information helps with promotion and marketing efforts. Present yourself in a conversational tone, focusing on the aspects you want people to know and remember. If you select to have your company listed instead of you individually then present your company in a conversational tone, focusing on the aspects you want people to know and remember.
Media Release Information
Use this section to showcase your business’s strengths and values. Craft a statement that reflects your brands essence and can be attached to your project’s images. Make sure this message conveys the image you want your future clients and the general public to see.
​
INDUSTRY PARTNER AWARDS
The BDAA National Design Awards program offers an exciting opportunity for entrants to gain additional recognition and exposure by participating in the Industry Partner Awards. By showcasing the use of our Industry Partners production your project, you can unlock bonus entries at no extra cost while strengthening your professional relationships with these partners.
​
Entering Industry Partner Awards
To participate in the Industry Partner Awards, follow these steps:
-
Identify the award categories you wish to enter and ensure that your project features products from one or more of our Industry Partners.
-
During the submission process, select the relevant Industry Partners whose products have been specified in your project.
-
There is no additional monetary fee for entering the Industry Partner Awards, but you must provide sufficient photographic evidence of the specified products in use. A single money shot of the product on the project must be supplied.
Capturing Partner Products in Your Submission
To successfully showcase the Industry Partner products in your project, consider the following tips:
Focus on the Product - Capture a portrait-oriented image that highlights the partner product in the context of your design. Ensure that the product is easily identifiable and visually appealing. When including the product in your submission, explain how it contributes to the success of your project, whether through aesthetics, functionality, sustainability, or other benefits.
Cross-Promotion - By featuring the Industry Partner products in your submission, you not only increase your chances of winning an award but also create opportunities for cross-promotion with the partner. This collaborative approach can lead to increased visibility and recognition for both parties.
​
By participating in the Industry Partner Awards, you can enhance your submission, strengthen your professional relationships, and gain additional recognition within the industry. Don’t miss this valuable opportunity to showcase your expertise and collaboration with leading Industry Partners.
CONDITIONS
Eligibility
The awards are open to BDAA members holding the following categories of membership: Chartered, Full & Student. Associate and Practice members are not eligible to enter the National Design Awards. To qualify as a Member of the Association, all membership fees must be paid when due.
​
Being accredited with the BDAA is not the same as being a BDAA member. If you have any doubts about your membership status contact BDAA Head Office or the Awards Coordinator.
​
The Entrant must be the primary author and coordinator of the design i.e., the majority stakeholder.
​
Where authorship and coordination of the design cannot be attributed to an individual member, joint entrants will be permitted if all parties comply with the eligibility criteria in full, including membership of the Association.
​
Joint entrants other than members of the Association are not permitted. Please contact the Awards Coordinator if you are considering joint entry, as the platform is set up to accept a single individual entrant only.
​
Projects constructed in Australia or overseas are eligible
Construction of the project (the building / structural elements) must have been fully completed not more than 5 years before the final closing date for entries. This requirement does not apply to the Student Design, Unbuilt Work, Unbuilt Work (Concept Design), or Documentation Quality categories.
​
For the Student Design categories, the Entrant must have been enrolled in an industry related course, either full time or part time, on the completion date of the project.
​
A project entered in a previous BDAA National Design Awards competition IS NOT eligible for entry in the same category.​​​
General Conditions
An entry shall be excluded from the program:
-
If it is received after the advertised closing date (although submissions that have been commenced but not completed by the closing date may be included at the discretion of the Organiser).
-
If it does not fulfil these entry conditions.
-
If it is incomplete or doesn’t conform m to the correct format as specified under Entry (above).
The Organiser is committed to providing a quality awards program to the design industry and makes every attempt to ensure accuracy, currency and reliability of the information included on in this document and elsewhere. However, changes in content and process may become necessary at the absolute discretion of the Organiser. The Organiser accepts no liability for any use of the said content or reliance placed upon it.
Entry submissions are accepted until 12am (AEST) on Sunday 6th July 2025.
Awards and commendations will be presented during the BDAA National Design Awards presentation at the Novotel Resort Twin Waters on the Sunshine Coast on Saturday the 1st November.
A full report of all winners will be released to the media, published in Winning Design and online at the BDAA Awards gallery.
​
All entry submissions must be made online bdaa.awardsplatform.com
