2026 Student Design Competition Kick Off

AIA Dayton Student Design Competition Kick-Off In January

We are thrilled to announce the theme for this year's Annual AIA Dayton Student Design Competition! We are so glad that many advisors have already reached out with interest in this year's competition. Many of the teachers incorporate this competition as part of their second semester curriculum. We appreciate your patience as we wrap up the project details. Our team plans to get this information out to all of the teachers in December, so you are ready to start the project after winter break. If you are a teacher that hasn't used the competition in your class in the past, please feel free to reach out to me directly with any questions!

This year, we have a fun and engaging program planned for your students: designing a multi-generational home in the Huffman Historic District, just over a mile from downtown Dayton. Students will learn how to apply principles of universal design, including ADA components, and incorporate these concepts into their final residential design. An overview of ADA concepts will be presented at this year's charrette as well as tours and activities that illustrate what universal design is all about. If you are an advisor or student, it is strongly encouraged that you attend the charrette.

The registration fee is $25 per student which includes entry to the competition and a free t-shirt at the awards ceremony. We have a limited number of scholarships available to cover this registration fee. Please reach out directly if you are a student in financial need. Advisors are encouraged to register free of charge to gain access to the charrette where all of the project information will be shared in greater detail. Just like in previous years, AIA Dayton and supporting sponsors will provide many prizes and scholarships for winning submissions. The deadline to register is the day of the charrette on January 24^th. The charrette will be held at a venue in the Huffman District. Final location details are currently being confirmed and will be sent out with more detailed information very soon.

Please see below for eligibility requirements:

The program is designed for college-bound high school students, grades 9 through 12, interested in art, architecture, or design. The competition is open to all students within AIA Dayton's nine-county geographic region (Champaign, Clark, Darke, Greene, Logan, Miami, Montgomery, Preble and Shelby Counties) and/or zip codes beginning with 453, 454, 455, and 458. The event is limited to the first 80 students who return their registration form with the $25 per student registration fee. Teachers and advisors are encouraged to share in the fun and can register for free. Teams are not permitted. Instructors, architects, college architecture students, friends, family, and other competition entrants may advise you, but the work is to be your own.

Feel free to reach out directly with any questions at info@aiadayton.org.