The Westside Urban Forum is looking for work, small or large, built or unbuilt, that addresses the issues of planning and building for a livable future. Our goal is to recognize projects, programs, policies and academic studies that demonstrate excellence in city making and community building.

CATEGORIES

  • Schools

  • Mixed-Use

  • Adaptive Reuse

  • Public/Institutional

  • Public/Open Space

  • Retail/Restaurant

  • Multi-Unit Housing (49 or less units)

  • Multi-Unit Housing (50+ units)

  • Affordable Housing

  • Office

  • Hospitality


PROJECT TYPES

  • BUILT
    Projects built in 2023 or later.

  • IN PROCESS/UNBUILT
    Projects with actual sites in Los Angeles County that have been commissioned by identified clients and are either (a) in an active stage of design or construction but not yet completed or (b) will not be built but are/ were commissioned in 2022 or later and are/were expected to demonstrate a high level of innovation.

  • COMPETITIONS
    Competition entries are allowed as long as the entry was originally elicited by a client and the competition is over, with the winner selected.

  • PLANS

    Specific plans, master plans, redevelopment plans or other governmental policies that have been formally approved or adopted in 2023 or after which are impacting Los Angeles County.

  • POLICIES
    Academic or government studies or policies completed in 2023 or after, which are not yet formally adopted, but which represent innovative thinking in the areas of land use and planning relevant to Los Angeles County.

ELIGIBLE WORK

Boundaries include projects, programs, policies within all of Los Angeles County.

HOW TO SUBMIT:

  1. PAY THE $100 ENTRY FEE

Make sure project names reflect the same name used on the Online Submission Form.

Questions or issues w/ payment? Contact Patricia Bijvoet at Patricia@upla.studio.

2. COMPLETE THE ONLINE SUBMISSION FORM

All submissions must include the following:

Up to 10 images, all clearly labeled with your project name, which may include: site plan, context information and key project plans and/or views which illustrate its significant features. Image file names must include the name of the project (e.g. MyProject1, MyProject2, etc.)

Written project objective (max 4500 characters) PLEASE INCLUDE AS TXT 

WUF follows a blind entry protocol. Do not identify firm, client, or subs anywhere within the project submission form or as part of the name under which you save your entry.

JUDGING PROCESS

  • Projects, plans, or programs that revitalize or contribute to sustaining their larger urban or community context through the use of new services, utilities, green technologies, public spaces or amenities, etc. Might include, but is not limited to, transportation, health, recreation, education, resource conservation and energy generation.

  • Projects that have as their intended goal the increased density, compactness and/or intensity of use of existing vacant and/or previously developed urban sites.

  • Projects or programs other than those listed above that provide new and innovative views for addressing urban growth issues, for example through the use of open space, sustainable buildings, “smart” planning, etc. The jury will consist of industry professionals invited by the Westside Urban Forum Board of Directors.

QUESTIONS

Contact Design Award Chair Patricia Bijvoet at patricia@upla.studio and info@westsideurbanforum.com