ALA/IIDA Library Interior Design Awards 2026
Competition Brief
The ALA/IIDA Library Interior Design Awards 2026 exists to recognize superior library interior design work which showcases both original design ideas and exceptional architectural methods. The American Library Association (ALA) and the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) present these awards every two years to recognize design excellence in all types of libraries which have been built or are currently being built.
Intent
The awards intend to highlight exceptional library interiors which combine aesthetic value with functional design and creative solutions to accomplish client goals. Projects undergo assessment based on their capability to improve user experience while effectively handling specific library environment challenges.
Purpose
The purpose is to establish international design standards which enable library design excellence to be displayed through international design exhibitions. Winning projects gain visibility in professional circles and are promoted through industry events, publications, and media coverage.
Requirements
Interior designers, interior architects, or architects may submit eligible library interior projects. Submitted projects must have been completed in or after October 2021, and previously published work is accepted. Projects in the design phase are eligible for entry through the “On the Boards” category. All submissions must include descriptive text and supporting imagery according to the competition guidelines.
Jury
The jury includes design professionals who possess special interior design and library design knowledge. The judging panel reviews submissions for design excellence across categories including academic libraries, public libraries, special libraries, historic renovation, and single spaces. The jury members will be revealed before the award ceremony.
Fees
| Registration Stage | Pricing |
|---|---|
| IIDA Member Early Bird (Jan 12–Jan 26) | $350 |
| Non‑IIDA Member Early Bird (Jan 12–Jan 26) | $450 |
| IIDA Member Regular (Jan 27–Mar 23) | $400 |
| Non‑IIDA Member Regular (Jan 27–Mar 23) | $500 |
| IIDA Member Last Chance (Mar 24–Apr 6) | $450 |
| Non‑IIDA Member Last Chance (Mar 24–Apr 6) | $550 |
Rewards
| Reward | Details |
|---|---|
| Award Recognition | Honored at ALA Annual Conference in Chicago |
| Publication | Featured on IIDA.org and ALA/Core platforms |
| Promotion | Official media coverage and digital assets for winners |
Dates
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Submission Opens | January 12, 2026 |
| Early Bird Ends | January 26, 2026 |
| Regular Pricing Ends | March 23, 2026 |
| Last Chance Pricing Ends / Submission Closes | April 6, 2026 |
| Award Celebration | June 25–30, 2026 (Chicago) |
✦ ArchUp Competition Review
The ALA/IIDA Library Interior Design Awards 2026 are organized by the American Library Association in partnership with IIDA, with jury members announced only closer to the award cycle, limiting early transparency. The program functions as a professional and academic recognition which evaluates library interior design work through different design types. The awards provide recognition at conferences and publications which require submission of detailed materials and payment of high fees especially for non-members. The competition mainly assists participants by improving their professional portfolios and increasing their industry visibility. The jury team possesses specialized knowledge about library and interior design fields but their complete roster remains undisclosed until later.
Conclusion
The ALA/IIDA Library Interior Design Awards 2026 provide a structured platform for professionals to present exemplary interior design projects within library contexts. The competition provides organized entry points through its defined categories and multiple pricing tiers while recognition at a major industry conference amplifies visibility. The high fees for non‑members at each stage create financial barriers which prevent smaller practices and independent designers from participating. The absence of publicly listed jurors until later phases also reduces clarity about evaluation perspectives. Participants should weigh these factors, as well as the biennial nature of the awards, when considering entry.
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