Introducing the 2015 AIA Dallas Unbuilt Design Awards

Dialogue. Ideas. Opportunities. 

As public discourse in Dallas becomes increasingly vital to understanding where we are as a city, and where we want to be, AIA Dallas seeks to enable continuing dialogue on important issues between the profession and the community. As part of our charge, the evolution of the Unbuilt Design Awards into an interactive event for the community continues the AIA Dallas mission to provoke new ideas by featuring the future from the architect’s perspective.

On May 28th, 2015 the AIA Dallas Unbuilt Design Awards will open with a gallery show at the Life in Deep Ellum Cultural Center and feature a panel discussion with three critically acclaimed judges from around the country. The show will feature all entries submitted this year as well as a curated showing of models from students of the University of Texas at Arlington School of Architecture. Work will remain on display through July 11th and culminate with a closing reception featuring a discussion with the winning project teams as well as the announcement of a People’s Choice Design Award. To become part of the discussion, the submission portal will open to membership online April 20, 2015. More information on the program can be found at aiadallas.org.

We are excited to see the hard work of the Design Awards Committee and AIA Dallas leadership come together with this year’s program. We feel that the new format will open up new opportunities for our architecture community through an engaging night of discussion and celebration.

The AIA Dallas Design Awards recognizes outstanding work by Dallas architects, both in the metropolitan area and across the country. The purpose of the awards program is to honor the architects, clients, and consultants who work together to achieve design excellence.

About Life in Deep Ellum

In 2006, Deep Ellum was undergoing a transition.  With the apparent sudden closings of several notable local restaurants and music venues, many saw the decline of Deep Ellum as a sure thing.  Many people thought Deep Ellum was dead.  With streets and restaurants regularly sitting empty, there were those who feared this might be the end.

In the midst of this, there were those who refused to accept the “Death of Deep Ellum.”  Believing that community strengths centered around Art, Music, Commerce, and Community, the vision for Life in Deep Ellum was born.  Gifted with a once abandoned warehouse, the organization serves as a cultural center for the artistic, social, economic, and spiritual benefit of Deep Ellum. Alongside community organizations such as the Deep Ellum Community Association and the Deep Ellum Foundation, LIDE continues to fulfill its mission of impacting the greater community of Deep Ellum and urban Dallas. 

Past events held at Life in Deep Ellum include Pecha Kucha, TEDX, ArtCon, RedBull Curated, and Daverse Lounge.