Architecture Excellence Grant
The goal of the Architecture Excellence Grant is to support projects or programs that promote Excellence in Architecture and the Built Environment.
Overview
Now accepting applications! Submit by Friday, April 24, 2026 at 12:00 PM.
Category 1 Grant
The Arizona Architecture Foundation (AAF) offers the opportunity for all individuals and organizations residing in Arizona, including but not limited to members of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Arizona, educational institutions, students, design professionals and others interested in architecture and whose interests are consistent with the AAF’s mission to request financial support for activities, research and projects that provide service, education and public awareness of architecture, design, construction, planning and the design professions of Arizona. The Arizona Architecture Foundation mission is as follows:
The Arizona Architecture Foundation enhances the welfare of the Arizona community by promoting excellence in architecture and the built environment, by supporting the education of future architects, supporting and promoting the profession of architecture, and preserving the legacy of Arizona architecture.
Funding for the 2026 Grants will be limited in scope not to exceed $2,500.00. However, requests exceeding this limit may be considered with justified need. In selection of grant recipients, the AAF will give greater consideration to proposals that clearly support the mission of the Foundation.
Submittal Requirements
Email your grant proposal request by Friday, April 24, 2026 at 12:00 PM to:
Arizona Architecture Foundation
c/o Diana Smith
diana@aia-arizona.org
Arizona-based organizations and individuals, along with AIA Arizona members, may submit grant requests following the outlined submittal requirements and schedule.
Eligibility
Past Recipients
2025 Primer of Modern Arizona Architecture, James Abell, FAIA, LA
2025 Tracing Architecture Podcast2025Kyle Fiano, Xander Gomez, Gerald Leenerts, & Lucas Johnson with 180 Degrees Design & Build and Nopal Build
2025 Tea with Taz Podcast
2025 2026 Arizona Architectural Film Showcase
2025 coLAB studio Teen Architecture (Net Zero Waste) Workshop
2025 NOMA Arizona Project Pipeline
2024 2025 AIA Arizona Associates Conference, Annette Park, AIA
2024 Tracing Architecture Podcast
2024 Arizona Kids Build: Elementary School Outreach Program
2024 Primer of Modern Arizona Architecture, James Abell, FAIA, LA
2024 NOMA Arizona Project Pipeline
2024 Tea with Taz Podcast
2024 The School of Architecture (TSOA) Lecture Series
2023 2024 AIA Arizona Associates Conference, Annette Park, Assoc. AIA
2023 Arizona Kids Build: The Nature of Shelter
2023 Tracing Architecture Podcast
2023 Future Cities Competition
2023 Preserving Arizona Architecture Through Alternative Living, Bradley Bowman
2023 Tea with Taz Podcast
2023 Desert Diaspora, MISHKĀN, Solomon Cohen, AIA
2023 Organic Architecture and Design Archives
2023 Preserving the Archives of Susan Jacobs Lockhart
2022 2023 AIA Arizona Associates Conference, Annette Park, Assoc. AIA
2022Tracing Architecture Podcast
2022Primer of Modern Arizona Architecture, James Abell, FAIA, LA
More on Past Recipients
2025 – James Abell, Book: Primer of Modern Arizona Architecture (Working Title)
James Abell is grateful for the Foundation’s financial support, which has allowed the project to advance significantly. He is nearing completion of a final draft and has begun preliminary discussions with a potential publisher in Chicago. Current work focuses on final edits, minor additions, and resolving remaining photo credits.
2025 – Tracing Architecture
“Over the past year, Tracing Architecture continued to expand its reach and impact with thoughtful, timely content. The podcast released four new episodes, including ‘AI & Architecture,’ a deep conversation with professionals and educators about how artificial intelligence is shaping practice and education, and ‘The Future of Architectural Education: The Dean’s Perspective,’ featuring deans tackling how schools and the profession prepare future designers. We also continued to highlight the Arizona Architecture Foundation’s transformative grants, with the annual ‘Lessons from Abroad’ episode sharing the experiences of recent Robert Saemisch and Sean Murphy Prize Winners.” — Shawn Swisher, AIA, LEED AP BD+C
2025 – Kyle Fiano, Xander Gomez, Gerald Leenerts, and Lucas Johnson with 180 Degrees Design & Build and Nopal Build
This project aims to develop a testing device that simulates the extreme diurnal temperature fluctuations of our desert environment. It will allow researchers to study how wall assemblies respond to large temperature swings–often 30–40°F over a 12-hour period–providing insight into the effects of time and temperature on different construction approaches.
For example, the device will enable comparisons between high thermal mass walls and walls with ventilated cavities under real-world desert conditions. By analyzing material performance in these dynamic conditions, the project seeks to generate data to guide the design of more effective wall assemblies.
2025 – Tea with Taz Podcast
“Thank you so much for your grant. It has helped us greatly to produce our podcast. We look forward to continuing to use the grant money to produce our podcast. The following Tea with Taz podcasts have been produced and distributed since we received this year’s grant.” — Taz Khatri, AIA, NCARB, NOMA, LEED AP, Taz Khatri Studios
Interview with Local Real Estate Developer Ryan Hilbun
2025 – 2026 Arizona Architectural Film Showcase
An annual three-film series on architecture, presented in significant architectural venues. Screenings take place on April 16, 18, and 21, 2026, and are presented by No Festival Required Independent Cinema.
The Arizona Architectural Film Showcase is an annual celebration of architecture through cinema, conversation, and community. Presented in architecturally significant venues, the 2026 edition features three documentaries by independent filmmakers curated by Steve Weiss, Executive Director of No Festival Required Independent Cinema.
2025 – coLAB studio Teen Architecture (Net Zero Waste) Workshop
“We purchased permanent and in-workshop materials, and there were plenty of materials for the students to work with. We facilitated the workshop with 19 students and 14 mentors. Three of our mentors worked with two students to make up the gap. The mentors all did a great job of working with the students. […] At 2pm, the students carried their models to the auditorium at Taliesin, and each presented their project. […] We also provided the parents and students with a small paper with a QR code to a site for more information about architecture as a career, the education process, etc. The mentors also had a great time, and Taliesin made the process very easy for us. It was a great day.” — Matthew Salenger, AIA
2025 – NOMA Arizona Project Pipeline
“Project Pipeline Arizona is an architecture summer camp organized by NOMAarizona, for middle school students, especially those from historically underserved communities. […] Thanks to the generous support of the Arizona Architecture Foundation, Project Pipeline Arizona experienced significant growth and innovation in 2025 in both camps and students receive a take-home kit with additional supplies and learning material. The grant contributed to the addition of impactful new programming: in Phoenix, students visited an active construction site, where seeing professionals at work offered tangible insight into the building process. In St. Michael’s, and adobe brick workshop allowed students to get their hands dirty while learning traditional building methods. These additions deepened student engagement and enriched the camp experience.”
2024 – Tea with Taz Podcast
“Thank you so much for your grant. It has made a big difference so far in our podcast. We look forward to continuing to use the grant money to expand our audience. The following Tea with Taz podcasts have been produced and distributed since we received this year’s grant.” — Taz Khatri, AIA, NCARB, NOMA, LEED AP, Taz Khatri Studios
An Interview with Arizona Legislator Sarah Ligouri on the new ADU Law
2024 – Arizona Kids Build
“Here are some photos of the program we did on the Navajo Nation in July. There were 4 students, 9 and 10 years old from St. Michael’s Indian School. We did the program in conjunction with NOMA’s Project Pipeline for older students. It was a great time, and the kids really enjoyed it!” — Michelle Ray, AIA
2023 – Arizona Kids Build: The Nature of Shelter
“Having taken a break from the program in 2020 – 2022 due to the pandemic Arizona Kids Build (AZKB) came back stronger than ever in 2023 as we were finally able to get back into the classroom. In January, the program was presented at Desert View Learning Center to 22 students by 180 Degrees Design + Build who have graciously adopted this school and hold the program there yearly. In addition, we held the program at Madison Heights Elementary for two of their 4th grade classes, 42 students in all. In April we had our second opportunity at Frye Elementary in Chandler where we simultaneously hosted three 4th grade classrooms, and 69 students. Both programs were supported with mentors by AIA Phoenix Metro and NOMA Arizona. Our grant money was specifically used to take the students on a tour of not only Taliesin West but also the formerly occupied desert shelters, an experience few are able to have, and to provide supplies for the lessons and build day. In total 133 elementary school students were able to gain and demonstrate an understanding of how the “built environment” directly affects their own well-being and that of the natural environment. […] Thank you again for the wonderful support from AAF!” — Michelle Ray, AIA
2023 – Tea with Taz Podcast
“Thank you so much for your grant; it has made a significant difference so far in our podcast. We look forward to continuing to use the grant money to expand our marketing for our podcast. The following Tea with Taz podcasts has been produced and distributed since we started our grant.” — Taz Khatri, AIA, NCARB, NOMA, LEED AP, Taz Khatri Studios
Rayane Djafafla Interview – Indigenous Architecture
Interview with Trees Matter Executive Director Aimee Esposito
Interview about Navigating the Built Environment with Mobility Issues
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