Jeff Harnar Awards 2026
Competition Brief
The University of New Mexico School of Architecture + Planning along with the Thornburg Foundation present the Jeff Harnar Awards which serve as their yearly architectural design competition. The awards commemorate architect Jeff Harnar’s work through their selection of architectural designs which demonstrate how physical structures and conceptual frameworks interact with the cultural and natural environments found in the Southwestern United States. The program includes multiple categories which display design excellence through contemporary designs and unbuilt designs and student work.
Intent
The awards aim to recognize exemplary architecture and design within the Four Corners region of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah. The design work must develop new design methods while respecting environmental and cultural features of the project area. For insight into regional design approaches, see our article on architectural design competition.
Purpose
The Jeff Harnar Awards intend to continue the exploratory design spirit associated with Jeff Harnar’s work. The selected projects demonstrate how materials and climate and local conditions influence architectural design in the Southwest region. For broader context on competitions and trends, see call for competitions.
Requirements
Submissions for 2026 must meet eligibility criteria. Professional categories require projects located in or designed for the Four Corners states, while student categories are open to current or recently graduated architecture and landscape architecture students in the United States. Projects must demonstrate meaningful engagement with their context. For guidance on competition integrity and transparency, see competition transparency.
Jury
- Chris Cornelius – University of New Mexico & Studio Indigenous
- Monica Ponce de Leon – Princeton University
- Gabriel Diaz Montemayor – University of Arkansas
- Claudia Meyer Horn – Design Office
- Winnifred E. Newman – Clemson University
- Francisco J. Rodriguez‑Suárez – University of Illinois, Urbana‑Champaign
Fees
| Category | Entry Fee |
|---|---|
| Contemporary Architecture | $200 |
| Unbuilt Architecture | $150 |
| Unbuilt Landscape Architecture | $150 |
| Innovative Regional Design | Included with other categories |
| Student Architecture | $20 |
| Student Landscape Architecture | $20 |
Rewards
| Category | Prize |
|---|---|
| Contemporary Architecture | $10,000 |
| Unbuilt Architecture | $3,000 |
| Unbuilt Landscape Architecture | $3,000 |
| Innovative Regional Design (Jury selection) | $3,000 |
| Student Architecture – First Place | $2,000 |
| Student Architecture – Second Place | $1,000 |
| Student Landscape Architecture – First Place | $2,000 |
| Student Landscape Architecture – Second Place | $1,000 |
Dates
| Deadline / Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Submission Deadline | March 27, 2026 |
| Awards Lecture & Ceremony | April 17, 2026, 5:30 PM |
✦ ArchUp Competition Review
The University of New Mexico School of Architecture + Planning with assistance from the Thornburg Foundation organized the 2026 Jeff Harnar Awards which maintained moderate transparency through its establishment of an academic and professional jury system. The awards function as a professional program which serves regional needs by selecting projects from the Four Corners states that meet both professional and student competition requirements. The prize amounts, which range from $1,000 to $10,000, represent a reasonable value for the work needed to create and document concepts. The participants receive recognition that improves their portfolios, but the regional boundary limits their ability to connect with a wider audience. The jury members possess expertise in both architecture and landscape design, which enables them to conduct reliable assessments.
Conclusion
The Jeff Harnar Awards maintain a highly regional focus, restricting participation to projects tied to the Four Corners states. The local context of the awards becomes more relevant through this process, but it creates a barrier that prevents people from participating. The prize amounts create a significant value, but their actual value depends on how projects interact with their surroundings and cultural elements. The awards include professional and student categories to show different interests, but more specific information about submission requirements would make it easier to understand. The awards show enables public recognition, but the evaluation process becomes harder because of the third-party submission system. The awards provide information about Southwestern design methods, but they need more transparent processes and accessible options to make their operations better for participants.
Explore the Latest Architecture Exhibitions & Conferences
ArchUp offers daily updates on top global architectural exhibitions, design conferences, and professional art and design forums.
Follow key architecture competitions, check official results, and stay informed through the latest architectural news worldwide.
ArchUp is your encyclopedic hub for discovering events and design-driven opportunities across the globe.
Registration Deadline
Brought to you by the ArchUp Editorial Team
Inspiration starts here. Dive deeper into Architecture, Interior Design, Research, Cities, Design, and cutting-edge Projects on ArchUp
