Introducing the 2026 Best of Practice Jury: AN’s Expert Panel

The Architect’s Newspaper has announced the 2026 Best of Practice Awards. Architecture and engineering firms are invited to submit portfolios that treat running a practice as a design project.

Now in its sixth year, the competition rewards firms that balance strong design work with vibrant office culture and meaningful social impact. Winners and finalists will be published in AN’s Best of 2026 print issue and online after review by a jury of architects, designers, educators, and critics.

Submissions are due by April 10, 2026.

Overview of the Best of Practice Awards 2026

The Best of Practice Awards at The Architect’s Newspaper honors firms that approach practice management as a design challenge. This means integrating outstanding project work with leadership, mentorship, and community responsibility.

The program spotlights portfolios and examines how offices cultivate culture, foster collaboration, and contribute positively to their surroundings.

Meet the Jury

The 2026 jury brings together experts from landscape architecture, urban design, building information modeling, lighting, interior architecture, mass timber innovation, and facade design. Their diverse backgrounds ensure that entries are judged on design quality, technical skill, and the impact of practice decisions on teams and communities.

• Gerdo Aquino — co-CEO of SWA and a leader in landscape architecture and urban design, with experience in regional resiliency and large-scale planning.
• Phillip Bernstein — deputy dean at Yale School of Architecture and former Autodesk VP, known for BIM, computation, and integrating AI in architecture.
• Hervé Descottes — founder of L’Observatoire International, with three decades of lighting-design experience on major museum projects and collaborations with top architects.
• Elizabeth Lowrey — head of interior architecture at Elkus Manfredi, recognized for mentoring, industry leadership, and a broad portfolio across corporate, hospitality, and academic interiors.
• Thomas Robinson — founder of LEVER Architecture, focusing on mass timber innovation and the environmental impact of material choices.
• Melissa Wong — leads Thornton Tomasetti’s New York Facade Practice, specializing in facade design, testing, and building enclosure commissioning.
• Editorial leadership of AN—Isabel Ling (managing editor) and Jack Murphy (editor in chief)—round out the jury.

Gerdo Aquino

“A design project mindset should guide how a practice operates,” says Aquino, whose work in landscape and urban design emphasizes resilience and scale. He looks for submissions that show strategic thinking about public spaces, sustainability, and adaptable environments.

Phillip Bernstein

Bernstein’s expertise in BIM, computation, and AI in architecture makes him a key voice for firms using advanced digital workflows. Submissions that show innovative design processes and smart use of technology will stand out to him.

Hervé Descottes

Descottes’ lighting design practice connects architecture, storytelling, and user experience. Entries that show how lighting enhances design, storytelling, and wayfinding will appeal to him.

Elizabeth Lowrey

Lowrey brings experience in interior architecture leadership and mentorship. Firms that highlight strong design leadership in interiors and support inclusive mentorship and professional development will catch her attention.

Thomas Robinson

Robinson’s work in mass timber and environmental performance focuses on material strategies and lifecycle thinking. Submissions that explain sustainable material choices and their broader impact are likely to be favored.

Melissa Wong

With a background in façade design and building enclosure performance, Wong values technical rigor and constructability. Entries that feature innovative façades, testing, and durable assemblies will align with her expertise.

AN Editorial Leadership

Isabel Ling and Jack Murphy lead The Architect’s Newspaper’s editorial direction. They ensure the Best of Practice Awards reflect current industry conversations and standards.

Editorial Leadership and Submission Window

Submissions for the 2026 Best of Practice Awards are open through April 10, 2026. The editorial team, led by Ling and Murphy, will select honorees for publication in AN’s print and online platforms.

What to Submit and How to Prepare

Entries should show where design excellence meets practice management. Document how your firm addresses workforce development, equity, sustainability, and community engagement, along with standout design work.

• Portfolio of representative projects with brief case studies.
• Evidence of office culture, mentorship, and professional development.
• Examples of social impact and community engagement.
• Clear explanation of design-to-practice processes, such as BIM, computation, or material strategies.
• Materials that show results, not just intentions.

Why Enter the Best of Practice Awards

Participating offers national recognition for design leadership and a platform to share how your firm puts ideas into practice. The Best of Practice Awards celebrate firms that treat their operations as a design project, aligning project quality with people, processes, and purpose.

Timeline and Next Steps

Submit by April 10, 2026 to be considered for inclusion in the Best of 2026 issue.

Winners and finalists will be showcased in The Architect’s Newspaper’s print edition and online coverage. This offers visibility to clients, peers, and collaborators across the architecture and engineering fields.

 
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