Welcome to the UAP Design Excellence Awards 2026
The UAP Design Excellence Awards was established to encourage and recognize excellence in architectural design, increase public awareness of the built environment’s potential for improving quality of life, and honor architects, owners, and builders of significant projects.
The UAP Design Excellence Awards focus on three fundamental, interlinked themes to identify achievements for a broad range of architectural activity and establish a standard of excellence. VISION, ARTISTRY & UNIVERSALITY. The winning projects will be promoted as premier examples of design excellence in and outside the country.
UAP Core Evaluation Themes
(Post-2020 Mandate)
Projects completed since 2020 (five years prior to the year of awarding) are evaluated against a high bar that demands a seamless synthesis of these three pillars:
VISION
Future-Proofing & Innovation
ARTISTRY
UNIVERSALITY
Submissions that demonstrate a strong, cohesive narrative across VISION, ARTISTRY, and UNIVERSALITY will be deemed worthy of the UAP Design Excellence Awards, setting a benchmark for the next generation of Philippine architecture.
ALIGNMENT WITH SDG TARGETS
The UAP Design Excellence Awards (DEA) upholds its commitment to supporting the delivery of the 17 United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDGs 7 and 11, which aim to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.
TIMELINE
October 2025
(NCA 2025 – Bacolod)
Launch and Call for Nominations
November 2025
(UAP Headquarters)
Media Launch and MOA Signing with Davies Paints
December 2025 - February 2026
Submission and Screening Period
March – April 2026
Judging and Deliberations
April 2026
NatCon 2026 - Exhibition of shortlisted entries
May 2026
Gala and Awarding Ceremony
UAP DESIGN EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2026 : HOMAGE
“Homage” is both a tribute and an act of deep respect to the artistry, vision, and universality of Filipino Architecture and the Filipino Architect.
This 2026, DEA takes on the theme “Homage”. Homage roots the awards in gratitude and reverence, not competition.
Homage aligns with the award’s founding spirit: to elevate Filipino architecture by honoring its creators.
Homage situates UAP as a body that does not only celebrate design, but also honors the legacy, humanity, and impact of the profession.
AWARD CATEGORIES
We highly encourage entries that showcase a wide and inclusive interpretation of design excellence. As submissions face different levels of opportunity, constraints, and budgets, each entry will be evaluated based on how effectively it meets its specific objectives.
Entries should demonstrate design accomplishments that highlight exceptional skill and creativity in addressing and integrating formal, functional, and technical requirements, while also considering ecological stewardship and social responsibility. Additionally, submissions should embody a strong sense of their context, history, or purpose as a fundamental aspect of their demonstrated design excellence, reflecting the key characteristics of outstanding, walkable, sustainable environments at the neighborhood, block, and building scale.
RESIDENTIAL ARCHITECTURE
Apartments, Condominiums, or Townhouses; Single-family detached houses are ineligible for submission
COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL ARCHITECTURE
Buildings for use by business, Plants, Aircraft hangars, and the like.
HOSPITALITY ARCHITECTURE
The design of hotels, resorts, restaurants, and other venues for travelers, focusing on creating functional, comfortable, and inspiring guest experiences.
INSTITUTIONAL ARCHITECTURE
COMPLEX-TYPE ARCHITECTURE
SPECIAL AWARD
WINNER TAKES ALL
The winning entry for each category will receive the following:
- DEA Trophy
- DEA Building Marker
- Certificate of Recognition
- He/she will be featured in press releases and media visits nationwide
- He/she will be featured in UAP collaterals, newsletters, institutional social media channels, and website
EXCLUSIVE PARTNER
