Student-awards - Columbia GSAPP

This website uses cookies as well as similar tools and technologies to understand visitors' experiences. By continuing to use this website, you consent to Columbia University's usage of cookies and similar technologies, in accordance with the Columbia University Website Cookie Notice

Student Awards

School-wide awards

Prizes are announced at the GSAPP Commencement ceremony.

WILLIAM KINNE FELLOWS TRAVELING PRIZE

Graduating students in all programs are eligible. These awards are granted on the merit of proposals submitted for travel incorporating the study of architecture, including planning and other specialized aspects of architecture.
The deadline for submission of proposals is Wednesday, April 22, 2026 by 11:59 PM EDT.
Please use this online form (to be linked the week of March 23, 2026).

Details

GSAPP WRITING PRIZE

Graduating students in all programs are eligible. This award is given to a graduating student for an outstanding essay, paper, or thesis on the history or theory of the built environment written for a class during their time enrolled at GSAPP.

The writing submission must meet the following criteria:

3,000 to 6,500 words (including excerpts from theses)
demonstrate independent and critical thinking
exemplify excellence of writing in the student’s discipline
must have been written for a class in which a paper was the main assignment
must include the faculty’s grade and comments
only one paper may be submitted by a nominated student

The deadline for faculty nominations is Wednesday, April 15, 2026.
After this nomination deadline, nominated students will be directly contacted by the GSAPP Awards Team to submit their nominated writing pieces; the deadline for submitting nominated writing pieces is Wednesday, April 22, 2026 by 11:59 PM EDT.

GSAPP VISUALIZATION AWARDS

Graduating students in all programs who have taken courses in the representation and computation sequences, or used such methods in their design studios, are eligible.

GSAPP Visualization Award in Computation: This prize is given for innovative use of computation in architectural or urban research and design. This may include (but is not limited to) simulations/animations, multimedia scripting, interactive environments/interfaces, data-driven visualization, or fabrication.
GSAPP Visualization Award in Representation: This prize is given for innovative use of visual and tactile representation in architectural or urban research and design. This may include (but is not limited to) spatial explorations, drawings, models, diagrams, multimedia projects, and installations used to describe and communicate spatial ideas, design intent, and narrative.

The deadline for submission of applications is Wednesday, April 22, 2026 by 11:59 PM EDT.
Please use this online form for the Award in Computation (to be linked the week of March 23, 2026).
Please use this online form for the Award in Representation (to be linked the week of March 23, 2026).

Prizes open to multiple programs

LUCILLE SMYSER LOWENFISH MEMORIAL PRIZE

Graduating students in M.Arch, M.S. AAD, and M.S. AUD are eligible. This award is for the most outstanding student(s) in the final semester design studios.

PERCIVAL AND NAOMI GOODMAN FELLOWSHIP

M.Arch, AAD, AUD, CCCP, HP, and UP students are eligible to apply. The purpose of the Fellowship is to enable the recipient to carry out a project of social significance related to the interests of Percival Goodman. Projects should be strongly humanist and be committed to the possibility that lives can be changed for the better. The project may be undertaken anywhere in the world. It may last up to one year after graduation and must be concluded with a final report.

There will be an Information Session on Wednesday, February 18, 2026 at 3:00 PM EDT in Ware Lounge (600 Avery) and on Zoom. Please use this link to attend the meeting via Zoom.

The deadline for submission of proposals is Wednesday, April 22, 2026 by 11:59 PM EDT.
Please use this online form (to be linked the week of March 23, 2026).

Details

M.Arch Awards

The portfolios that M.Arch students are required to submit to graduate are used to assist the Committees in determining the recipients of these awards. Portfolios must be submitted by Sunday, May 10, 2026 at 12:00 PM EDT. This is a strict deadline.

CHARLES McKIM PRIZE FOR EXCELLENCE IN DESIGN / SAUL KAPLAN TRAVELING FELLOWSHIP

This prize recognizes the student whose work throughout the studios has been outstanding and is funded by a bequest from Saul Kaplan (M.Arch ‘57). The prize is for travel and study following graduation.

AIA MEDAL FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

This prize is awarded to the student who has maintained the best general standard in all sequences during the professional course over the past 2-3 years in the School.

ALPHA RHO CHI MEDAL

This prize is for the student who has shown ability in leadership over the past 2-3 years in the School and who gives promise of professional merit through their attitude and personality.

THE EVANS SIMPSON ’88 M.ARCH PRIZE FOR EXCELLENCE IN DESIGN

The prize is for high quality of work in the design studios during the student’s program of studies at Columbia.

HONOR AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN DESIGN

This award is for student engagement, leadership, and high academic attainment within design studios in the M.Arch Program.

HONOR AWARD FOR DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY

This prize is awarded to the student who most demonstrates an ability to incorporate building science and technologies into the issues of architectural design. Selection is based on students’ academic record in Building Technology coursework and the portfolio review. Applying students’ end-of-year portfolios should include work from advanced Building Science and Technologies courses.

ALI JAWAD MALIK MEMORIAL HISTORY/THEORY HONOR AWARD

This award is in recognition of the high quality of work in the History/Theory sequence. Students nominated by the History/Theory faculty will be invited to submit a selection of their writing to be reviewed by the faculty committee.

‘AVERY 6’ AWARD

This non-monetary, student-nominated prize is awarded to the graduating M.Arch student whose work questions the standards of architecture and promises to change the profession, and whose commitment within studio and the School at large has earned the respect of the student body.

AAD Awards

The portfolios that AAD students are required to submit to graduate are used to assist the Committees in determining the recipients of these awards. Portfolios must be submitted by Sunday, May 10, 2026 at 12:00 PM EDT. This is a strict deadline.

WILLIAM WARE PRIZE FOR EXCELLENCE IN DESIGN / SAUL KAPLAN TRAVELING FELLOWSHIP

This prize is awarded to recognize the student whose work in the studios has been outstanding and is funded by a bequest from Saul Kaplan (M.Arch ‘57).

HONOR AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN ADVANCED ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN

This award is for student engagement, leadership, and high academic attainment within design studios in the AAD Program.

HONOR AWARD FOR ARGUMENTS IN DESIGN

The prize is for a student whose work has been outstanding in the formulation of agendas and positions—that is, arguments and the way in which they take part in the advancement of architectural design.

PEER TO PEER AWARD

This non-monetary, student-nominated award is given in recognition of outstanding service to classmates, faculty, and school.

AUD Awards

The portfolios that AUD students are required to submit to graduate are used to assist the Committees in determining the recipients of these awards. Portfolios must be submitted by Sunday, May 10, 2026 at 12:00 PM EDT. This is a strict deadline.

GSAPP PRIZE FOR EXCELLENCE IN URBAN DESIGN

This award recognizes the student whose work in the Urban Design Program has been the most outstanding.

HONOR AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN URBAN DESIGN

This award recognizes the students who have demonstrated significant leadership, service, and commitment to collaboration in the Urban Design Program.

PEER TO PEER AWARD

This non-monetary, student-nominated award is given in recognition of outstanding service to classmates, faculty, and school.

CCCP Awards

CCCP PROGRAM AWARD

This prize is for a significant contribution to the culture of research, practice, and the public sphere within the CCCP Program.

CCCP AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING THESIS

For the thesis that best demonstrates rigorous development of critical, curatorial, and conceptual practices, and the most complementary format or medium in its realization.

PEER TO PEER AWARD

This non-monetary, student-nominated award is given in recognition of outstanding service to classmates, faculty, and school.

CDP Awards

CDP PROGRAM AWARD

This prize is for a significant contribution to the culture of research, practice, and the public sphere within the CDP Program.

HONOR AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING CAPSTONE IN CDP

For the capstone that best explores computational design practices through rigorous experimentation, development, and execution of a project.

PEER TO PEER AWARD

This non-monetary, student-nominated award is given in recognition of outstanding service to classmates, faculty, and school.

HP AWARDS

ONERA PRIZE IN HISTORIC PRESERVATION

This prize is awarded to a graduating student from Columbia GSAPP’s M.S. Program in Historic Preservation to conduct a project that tests new preservation theories in practice.

Details

HONOR AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING THESIS IN HISTORIC PRESERVATION

For a Master’s thesis that best demonstrates excellence in the field of Historic Preservation

PEER TO PEER AWARD

This non-monetary, student-nominated award is given in recognition of outstanding service to classmates, faculty, and school.

RED AWARDS

DIN FAMILY SCHOLARS PRIZE

This prize shall be awarded to the individual with the highest academic attainment in the M.S. Real Estate Development Program (dual degree recipients are eligible).

HANK BELL ENTREPRENEURIAL AWARD

This award is for the student that best embodies Professor Emeritus Hank Bell’s entrepreneurial spirit.

HONOR AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT

This award is for student engagement, leadership, and high academic attainment within the Real Estate Development Program.

PEER TO PEER AWARD

This non-monetary, student-nominated award is given in recognition of outstanding service to classmates, faculty, and school.

UP Awards

AMERICAN PLANNING ASSOCIATION OUTSTANDING STUDENT AWARD

This prize is for outstanding attainment in the study of Urban Planning.

NEW YORK CHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN PLANNING ASSOCIATION’S AWARD

This award is for academic excellence and leadership in Urban Planning.

CHARLES ABRAMS THESIS AWARD

For a thesis that best exemplifies a commitment to social justice.

HONOR AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN URBAN PLANNING

This award is for student engagement, leadership, and high academic attainment within the Urban Planning Program.

PEER TO PEER AWARD

This non-monetary, student-nominated award is given in recognition of outstanding service to classmates, faculty, and school.