Fort Collins
Urban Design Awards

The City of Fort Collins celebrates great places and people who design them. Join us in promoting awareness of urban design, and its importance for the quality of life in our community. Urban design ranges from a city or city subarea to a single outdoor space and considers the look and feel, as well as environmental, economic and social consequences of design. It is not simply concerned with new development but also with the maintenance and enhancement of existing development. Come celebrate what's been accomplished!

These biennial awards were first given in the fall of 2006, again in 2008 and 2011 and most recently in 2013. The selection process starts with a call for entries and ends with a committee (made up of local designers, city board members and city staff) selecting winners from the applications. The process culminates with an awards ceremony.

What's new for 2015

Downloads

2015 Ceremony Program 2013 Ceremony Program 2011 Ceremony eBook 2011 Ceremony Program 2008 Ceremony Program 2006 Ceremony Program

We've made two major changes for this round of awards and welcome any feedback from you.

Who Presents the Winning Projects at the Awards Ceremony - In the past, the Master of Ceremonies gave all presentations. Similar to 2013, we would like a member of the winning team to present their project, to hopefully add deeper insight and firsthand knowledge. If your project is selected, more details about your presentation will follow.

Open Nominations for the Hall of Fame Award - This year we want you to nominate a person, firm, organization or historic figure who deserves to be in the Hall of Fame! We encourage you to use this award to honor a colleague, mentor or partner, and you can even give the presentation or have us help you put one together. Please use the separate nomination form.

THE 2015 URBAN DESIGN AWARDS CEREMONY

This year's award ceremony is Wednesday, October 7, 2015 from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. at the Midtown Arts Center at 3750 S. Mason St.

THE 2015 URBAN DESIGN AWARDS HONOREES

The following exemplary design work has been chosen by the Selection Committee to be honored at the ceremony:

Architecture

Beau Jo’s Pizza
Canyon Place
Encompass Technologies – Block One

Sustainable Design

Powerhouse Energy Campus

Urban Fragments

[au]workshop Building Sign

Public Spaces

Jessup Farm Artisan Village
MAX Public Art
The Backyard at Odell Brewing Company
The District Streetscape

Hall of Fame

William Robb
Bill Brenner
George Brelig

Award Categories

Urban Design Plan
This category is for a plan or a study that provides a development or redevelopment strategy in the mid-term to long term. Urban design studies, subarea plans, urban design charettes, master plans, development plans and a community plan of high inspirational value with the potential for significant impact on Fort Collins' urban design may be considered for award.
Architecture
This category is for any built building or group of buildings that contribute to and support quality urban design. It will be an individual building or group of buildings of high architectural standard, which achieve design excellence through its unique relationship with its immediate surroundings because of its site, massing, architecture and pedestrian amenities.
Urban Fragments
This will involve a single, small-scale piece of a building or landscape that contributes significantly to the quality of the public realm. This category includes street furniture, lighting elements, interpretation media, memorials, public art or other forms that contribute to the beautification, enjoyment and/or appreciation of the urban environment.
Public Spaces
This category is for any built project that creates or contributes to a great public space that invites people to spend time and enjoy the sense of place. Projects can add to Fort Collins as a unique, interesting, beautiful city with streetscapes, landscapes, parks, plazas, civil engineering infrastructure, architectural spaces, public art, lighting, signage, and myriad other features of design.
Sustainable Design
This category is for any built project that exhibits sustainable design contributing to and integrated into engaging urban design. Selected projects will have significant or special benefits for environmental stewardship, social sustainability, economic vitality, or a balance among the three. Project design may address sustainability challenges by integrating factors such as architecture, engineering systems, site design, technology, natural systems, re-use, infill and redevelopment issues, walkability, and other solutions to community needs. City Plan, the City’s comprehensive plan, is a useful reference for understanding sustainability values in Fort Collins.
Hall of Fame
This award honors a person/business/organization for their continuing and significant contribution to enhancing the urban design of the community.