Categories

With around 50 categories across five disciplines, the ICONIC AWARDS provide a major platform for architecture, interior design and innovative products.

  • Architecture

    From urban concepts and green space planning, cultural buildings and educational institutions, hotels and restaurants to residential buildings, workplaces and hospitals. New constructions, revitalizations, and conversions of all kinds.

    Retail and Commercial

    Branded spaces · shops · concept stores · showrooms · department stores · shopping centres · outlets · etc. 

    Hospitality

    Hotels · boardinghouses · serviced apartments · spas and wellness resorts · bars · cafés · restaurants · pop-up bars · kiosk · etc. 

    Residential

    Prefab buildings · detached homes · care homes · etc.

    Healthcare

    Nursing facilities · hospitals · medical facilities · rehabilitation facilities · care facilities · hospices · etc. 

    Corporate

    Company buildings · office buildings · factories · warehouses · etc.

    Public

    Stadiums · administrative buildings · sports facilities · railway stations · bus stations · toilet cubicles · etc. 

    Culture

    Museums · concert halls · theatres · opera houses · sacred buildings · temples · religious sites · monuments · etc. 

    Education

    Education buildings · schools · day-care centres · sports facilities · etc.

    Event and Exhibition

    Exhibitions · special settings · trade fair stands · pop-up stores · events · light installations · pavilions · temporary installations · etc. 

    Urban Planning

    Villages · regions · urban branding · urban/district and neighbourhood development · mixed-use building complexes · ensemble· etc. 

    Landscape and Public Space

    Landscape architecture · open space planning · squares · roads · bridges · sports facilities · street furniture · etc. 

    Temporary and Mobile Architecture

    Mobile architectures · pavilions · pop-ups · undefined typologies · installations · novel building types · lightweight and membrane structures · etc. 

    Transformation

    Conversions: Conversion of department stores and office space · revitalisation of historic buildings · holistic utilization concepts and industrial buildings · conversion of transport infrastructure · etc. 

    Mixed-Use Development

    Vertical mixed use (residential, work, retail, hospitality) · horizontal mixed use · individual buildings · large-scale facilities · and hybrid neighbourhoods · campuses · etc.

    Urban Regeneration And Development

    Revitalisation and regeneration of existing neighbourhoods · urban renewal · district planning · connectivity concepts · redensification & inner development · etc. 

    Industrial and Logistic Development

    Industrial parks · commercial areas · production and manufacturing facilities · research and development centres · logistics systems / hubs · etc. 

    Surface and Facade

    New construction · renovation · façade systems and modular solutions · technical solutions · etc. 

    Special

    Hybrid buildings with unusual mixed uses · landmarks · observation towers and platforms · serial / experimental buildings · prototypes · greenhouses · etc. 

  • Interior

    From exceptional retail concepts, restaurants, bars, and hotel facilities to the design of living spaces, offices, care facilities, and hospitals.

    Retail and Commercial

    Branded spaces · shops · concept stores · showrooms · department stores · shopping centres · outlets · etc.

    Residential

    Prefab buildings · detached homes · care homes · etc.

    Corporate

    Company buildings · office buildings · business premises · factories · warehouses · etc. 

    Workplace

    Office space · new work concepts · etc.

    Public

    Schools · day-care centres · hospitals · stadiums · admin buildings · sports facilities · railway stations · bus stations · etc. 

    Culture

    Museums · concert halls · theatres · opera houses · sacral buildings · temples · religious sites · monuments · etc.

    Education

    Education buildings · schools · day-care centres · sports facilities · etc.

    Hospitality

    Hotels · boardinghouses · serviced appartments · Spa and wellness resorts · member clubs · spa and wellness resorts · gastronomy · bars · cafés · restaurants · etc.

    Healthcare

    Nursing facilities · hospitals · medical facilities · rehabilitation facilities · care facilities · hospices · etc. 

    Special

    Pop-up concepts · new or undefined typologies · installations · lighting design and lighting concepts · etc. 

  • Product

    From fixed building products to innovations in building equipment and furnishings: including facades, doors, lighting, sanitary and kitchen equipment and furniture.

    Facade

    Paint · insulation · plaster · windows · doors · balconies · materials · fittings · railings · etc.

    Wall, Floor and Ceiling

    Tiles · wallpaper · plaster · carpets · parquet · materials · floor laminates · ceiling elements · stairs · floor coverings · wall coverings · etc.

    Energy Solution

    Solar thermal energy · photovoltaics · materials · biomass · solar energy systems · etc. 

    Sanitation and Wellness

    Sanitary objects · fittings · bathtubs · Shower enclosures shower trays · bathroom furniture · ceramics · materials · swimming pools · saunas · water treatment · etc. 

    Building Facility

    Lifts · escalators · stairs · doors · windows · radiators · materials · switches and control panels · house and door signage · handles · home automation · letterboxes · fittings · etc.

    Office And Workplace

    Office furniture · furniture systems · acoustic solutions · technical equipment for the workplace · etc. 

    Kitchen and Household

    Kitchen taps · kitchen sinks · large electrical appliances · kitchen furniture · etc.

    Lighting

    Lighting systems · outdoor luminaires · decorative luminaires · technical luminaires · work lights · etc. 

    Material, Textile and Surface

    Materials and textiles · surfaces · decorative fabrics · furniture fabrics · etc.

    Furniture

    Cabinet and shelving systems · seating · tables · beds · etc.

    Outdoor and Urban Solutions

    Street furniture · bus stops · shelters & waiting areas · bicycle racks · play and recreation areas · garden furniture and lounge modules · pavilions · etc. 

    Special

    New product typologies · etc.

  • Concept

    Visionary ideas and (yet) unrealized concepts in the fields of city and architectural design, as well as interior design.

    Strategic Development and Masterplanning

    Hybrid neighbourhoods · urban development strategies · master plans for neighbourhoods and districts · street spaces and mobility concepts · squares and public spaces · climate-resilient urban planning smart city concepts · etc.

    Urban Design and Landscape Architecture

    Plazas · streets · renovation · conversion · villages · regions · urban branding · urban/district and neighbourhood development · mixed-use building complexes · ensemble · open space planning · garden and landscape architecture · etc.

    Visionary and Uncompleted Architecture

    Concepts and unrealised designs for the design of: public buildings · cultural buildings · company buildings · office buildings · stores · factories · prefabricated buildings · residential buildings · concepts for temporary buildings · etc.

    Transformation

    Conversions · holistic utilisation concepts · revitalisation of city centres · conversion of transport infrastructure · conversion of existing buildings · etc.

    Special

    Free designs · competition entries · future studies · city models · interdisciplinary concepts · digital architecture / metaverse connection · AI-supported architectural concepts · parametric / generative architecture · scenarios for new building typologies · etc. 

  • Communication

    Outstanding holistic communication – at trade show booths, in advertising campaigns, or corporate designs for architectural firms, word-image brands for real estate projects, and urban concepts.  

    B2B Communication

    Trade fair stands · ad campaigns · ads · flyers · brochures · catalogues · outdoor advertising · websites · image films · architectural photography · books · etc. 

    B2C Communication

    Trade fair stands · book publications · ad campaigns · ads · brochures · flyers · outdoor advertising · websites · image films · architectural photography · catalogues · etc. 

    Corporate Design

    Branding · websites · letterhead stationery · business cards · flyers · posters · banners ·signs · flags · etc.

    Signposting System

    Guidance systems for cities · public institutions · office and business premises · shopping centres · detached homes · etc. 

    Special

    Free concepts for architecture and interior design · not realised brand and corporate designs from architecture and interior · etc. 

Additional Categories

  • Circular Design

    This category recognises particularly innovative solutions that bring the current goals of the circular economy into practice and serve as a model for circular strategies.

  • Innovative Material

    The projects are characterised by the use of innovative materials that shape the design of architecture, interiors and products. The focus is on sustainability, energy efficiency and functionality.

Special Categories

Nominations for special and honorary prizes are made by a specialist committee. It is not possible to apply for these awards.

  • Architects of the Year

    This honour goes to an architectural practice or individual whose work brings vital impulses to architectural culture. Their position carries international resonance, their buildings set standards for people, climate and the future of shared living.

  • Interior Designers of the Year

    This honour goes to designers and studios who consider the built context as a whole and give spaces new meaning. The nominees are established practices and up-and-coming talents who design spaces that respond to human needs, the environmental context and the demands of everyday life.

  • Creator of the Year

    This honorary award is presented to an individual or group whose work extends beyond the boundaries of their own discipline and makes a significant contribution to exhibition and product design, journalism or teaching, whilst also helping to shape contemporary discourse.

  • Architects‘ Client of the Year

    The award recognises clients who commission exceptional architecture. It honours clients, companies and public institutions that promote integrated architecture and demonstrate commitment, responsibility and bold decision-making.

  • Debut Work of the Year

    This special award honours a debut work in architecture, interior design, landscape or open space planning, worldwide. It recognises a single realised project: planned independently in the practice's own office, not as an employee. The project must be completed and may not date back more than five years.

New in 2026

Focus on Development

Mixed-Use Development, Transformation, Urban Regeneration – five new categories put the people behind the projects centre stage.

Learn more

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