On Thursday, October 8, 2026, AIA Mississippi announced the winners of the 2026 AIA Mississippi Design Awards at the 2026 AIA Mississippi Convention in Starkville. This annual event seeks to elevate the quality of architecture and encourage excellence by recognizing and honoring the distinguished work of AIA Mississippi members. A jury of independent architects and educators from outside Mississippi, led by David Corban, AIA, LEED AP, selected this year’s winners.

“I am proud of each of this year’s submissions and the firms who prepared them, and I greatly appreciate the efforts of each member towards a greater architecture here in Mississippi.” Carley Dunaway, AIA, AIA MS President

28 projects were submitted for this year’s review. These projects and the architecture firms that designed them represent the exceptional work of AIA Mississippi members and architects practicing in Mississippi. In total, 9 winners were selected for recognition. The jury gave awards in three categories:

• Honor Awards represent the highest level of distinction and are reserved for projects that exhibit overall design excellence.

• Merit Awards are designated for projects that exhibit distinguished achievement in architectural design.

• Citation Awards recognize projects that demonstrate excellence in a particular aspect of design, whether in concept, craft, or response to place.

Two additional awards, the Samuel Mockbee Award and the People’s Choice Award, were selected by a vote of the AIA Mississippi membership. Several of this year’s winners give new life to existing and historic structures, and the jury recognized projects that bring natural light deep into public buildings, carry the character of historic places into new uses, and serve as vehicles for cultural continuity and community pride.

Projects may be viewed HERE.

2026 Award Winners

Honor Award:
Randy J. Cleveland Engineering Student Center: Renovation, Restoration, and Addition by CDFL Architects + EngineersAfricatown Housing by Tall Architects

Merit Award
Gulfport Job Corps Center by EGH Architects

Citation Award:

• Pecan Park Elementary Renovation by Duvall Decker

• The Hotel Monroe: Renovation, Preservation, and Addition by CDFL Architects + Engineers

• Mississippi Department of Public Safety Headquarters by EGH Architects

• Grenada Depot Restoration by Belinda Stewart Architects

Samuel Mockbee Award
Chapel of the Cross, Rolling Fork by WBA Architecture

People’s Choice Award
Rayburn House by Tall Architects