Why enter? 

• Be part of the elite AJ100 cohort of practices (ranked by the number of architects in the UK ).
• Raise the profile of your practice, boosting staff morale and aiding recruitment processes.
• Benchmark your practice against other leading lights in British architecture by participating in a detailed survey assessing an extensive range of financial and ESG metrics.
• Participate in the prestigious AJ100 awards programme.
• Benefit from extensive coverage of the AJ100 awards and survey in print, online coverage, and social media, both before and after the event.
• Attend exclusive AJ100 Club networking lunches.

2025 Categories and Criteria

AJ100 Champions

This award celebrates practices who are driving positive change, either through their own projects and ways of working, or within the wider profession and beyond.

A cohort of AJ100 Champion practices will be chosen from across the AJ100 ranking by the AJ team. All practices are automatically entered for consideration for the AJ100 Champions cohort through completion of the AJ100 survey.

Practices are also invited to submit a supporting statement showing how they have demonstrated one or more of the below in 2024:

• Commitment to driving greater design quality and sustainability
• Contribution to positive reform of the profession
• Contribution to reforms of the wider building industry
• An innovation that has transformed how the practice works, or the success of a particular project
• Participation in research that will have a positive impact on working practices
• An exceptional collaboration that has driven the success of a project or initiative 
• Commitment to exemplary employment conditions for staff
• Commitment to a high standard of social and environment performance
• Outstanding strategic thinking
• Any other examples of how the practice is delivering positive change

AJ100 Client of the Year

Awarded to an exemplary client nominated by an AJ100 practice as the best client they worked with in 2024. The category will be judged by the AJ team.

Nominees of shortlisted clients will be asked for images and additional information prior to judging.

AJ100 Communication Initiative of the Year

This award will be given to a practice for an exemplary piece of external or internal communication in 2024. This may be through the use of video, photography, podcast, writing, social media, website or any other form of communication to achieve a specific purpose. Entries should set out the objectives of the communication, its content, and the impact of the initiative. 

This award category will be decided by a presentation to a panel of judges.

AJ100 Community Impact of the Year

This is awarded to a project that demonstrates both a deep engagement with the local community and an exceptional outcome for all stakeholders. The project must have been delivered in 2024.

Judges will be looking for evidence of how your practices have added community value by maximising the positive impact of their projects. For example, this may be through a committed, far reaching and evidence-based approach to user engagement and co-design, or through an ability to translate community needs and desires into form.

Shortlisted practices might be contacted to arrange a visit for the judging panel, who will be particularly keen to hear from community stakeholders about the impact of the project.

AJ100 Contribution to the Profession

Awarded to a living individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the industry.

AJ100 Employer of the Year

This award recognises the best practice for employees, judged on HR issues including staff satisfaction, workplace culture, benefits and staff turnover in 2024.

Entries should set out why the practice should be considered for this award, and may include:

• Your training and career development strategy 
• How your practice encourages and supports diversity 
• Your practice’s approach to hybrid working
• Your practice’s approach to employee well-being 
• Salary reviews and bonuses 
• Your practice’s approach to overtime 
• Your practice’s approach to maternal and paternal leave 
• What makes your practice a great place to work.

 Entrants to this award are expected to participate in the Enhanced Industry Survey distributed to all successful entrants to the AJ100. The award will be decided by a judging panel, who will visit each shortlisted practice.

AJ100 Mentor of the Year 

This award will be given to an individual within an AJ100 practice for their commitment to mentoring in 2024, either within their practice, within the wider profession, or in schools or universities. This award category will be decided by a presentation to a panel of judges.

AJ100 New Talent

This award celebrates emerging talent in AJ100 practices. There are three categories, with one nomination per practice allowed in each of the following:

• Part 1 architectural assistant
• Part 2 architectural assistant
• New architect (qualified for no more than two years on 31 December 2024)

Nominees should be individuals who have made an exceptional contribution to the success of a particular project; to the culture of the practice in general; or to the wider profession. Entries should provide:

• A citation explaining why the nominee should be considered for the AJ100 New Talent Award
• A written statement or a short video from the nominee about themselves and their work.

Shortlisted entrants will be interviewed by a panel of judges.

AJ100 Sustainability Initiative of the Year

Awarded to an initiative that demonstrates an exemplary/innovative approach to sustainability. This must have been delivered in the calendar year of 2024.

Entries should explain the initiative’s sustainability achievements. For example, the initiative could be a specific project that demonstrates an exemplary aspect of sustainability, or a piece of research or pro bono work that showcases sustainability or furthers sustainable practice. It could also be a significant change in the way the practice is run that promotes sustainability (such as embedding sustainability in project delivery or staff training).

This award category will be decided by a presentation to a panel of judges and announced at the AJ100 awards.

AJ100 Sustainability Leader of the Year

Given for an outstanding contribution to the sustainable design agenda in the calendar year of 2024. This may be for leadership on a particular initiative, or for leading on sustainability within their practice or within the wider built environment. Entries explaining why the nominee should win can be made for either an individual or a joint entry.

This award category will be decided by a presentation to a panel of judges and announced at the AJ100 awards.