2026 Best in Building Awards
Design Awards
Review the 2026 Design Awards, judging criteria and submission materials required for each entry.
Open to all three CRBRA membership types: Builder, Remodeler and Associate.
Awards & Entry Requirements
Use the table below to compare each award's judging criteria and required submission materials. On smaller screens, scroll horizontally to view the complete table.
| Award Name | Award Level | Judging Criteria | Written Responses | Project Photos | Before Photos | Plans / Drawings | Project Cost | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Aging-in-Place Design | Creative approach, aesthetic appeal, and functional value. | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | — | ||
| Best Design of Historical Property | Complementary to the existing structure, use of historic details, sensitivity to the structure’s time period, and complexity of the renovation or restoration. | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | — | ||
| Best Interior Design of Private Residence | Creative approach, aesthetic appeal, and functional value. | ✓ | ✓ | — | — | — | ||
| Best Kitchen Design | Under $50,000 $50,000–$79,999 $80,000–$109,999 $110,000–$139,999 $140,000+ |
Creative approach, functional value, aesthetic appeal, and market appeal. | ✓ | ✓ | — | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Best Living Space | Creative approach, aesthetic appeal, and functional value. | ✓ | ✓ | — | ✓ | — | Any room in the home except the kitchen or bath | |
| Best New Construction Floor Plan | Under 2,500 sq. ft. 2,500+ sq. ft. |
Creative approach, aesthetic appeal, market appeal, and effective traffic flow. | ✓ | ✓ | — | ✓ | — | |
| Best Non-Primary Bath Design | Creative approach, aesthetic appeal, and functional value. | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | — | ||
| Best Primary Bath Design | Under $50,000 $50,000–$99,999 $100,000+ |
Creative approach, aesthetic appeal, and functional value. | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Best Tech Integration | Creative use of smart home or audiovisual technology, complexity and practicality of the design, and integration with the overall design of the space. | ✓ | ✓ | — | — | — | Voice activation for lights, music, and other systems; security systems | |
| Most Creative Home Feature (new or existing home) | Creative approach, uniqueness, innovation, perceived value, and marketability. | ✓ | ✓ | — | — | — | A small feature within a larger project, such as a feature wall |
✓ indicates a required submission component. A dash indicates that the item is not required for that award.
Special Thanks to Our Design Awards Sponsor
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