Facility Design Awards

The ACUI Facility Design Awards were created to encourage and recognize excellence in the design of student-centered facilities that support campus community building and student learning.

Awards may be given for four budget categories of new college union buildings, additions, renovations, restorations, outdoor environments, interior dining environments, interior or outdoor recreation environments, and interior redesign and refurbishing. The total cost of the building or individual environment is the determining factor: less than $25 million; $25 million–$35 million; $35 million–$55 million; more than $55 million. Another award may be given for a campus life project other than a college union regardless of the cost of construction.

Projects Less than $25 Million 
2025 Recipient: Workshop Architects, Center for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, University of Notre Dame 

The LaFortune Student Center at the University of Notre Dame, built in 1883 as Science Hall, is among the oldest buildings on campus. This second floor renovation into the new Center for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion honors the original beauty of the historic space while responding to evolving student needs and celebrating a contemporary commitment to DEI. The project sensitively balances complimentary objectives. Improvements included the addition of kitchen and dining space, collaboration and programming areas, meeting and conference rooms, and a highly visible main staircase. 

Projects More than $55 Million 
AE Works, University Union, Towson University 

The reimagining of the University Union at Towson University created a destination that now attracts students to a building that was previously under-utilized. The Towson University Union project revitalized a 1970s facility into a vibrant, student-focused hub. Through phased construction, the building remained operational, ensuring uninterrupted access to food, programs, and student services. The transformation introduced flexible spaces for socializing, wellness, and events, complemented by a 13,000-square-foot ballroom, a 300-seat theater, and expanded dining areas. The Center for Student Diversity now provides dedicated support for multicultural, faith-based, and LGBTQIA+ groups. Achieving LEED Gold certification, sustainable features include bioretention systems and abundant natural light. 

Submissions are being accepted through Monday, January 6, 2026. Winners will be informed by Friday, January 16, 2026, and announced publicly at ACUI’s 2025 Annual Conference, March 8–12, 2026, in Pittsburgh. For more information, please contact corporate@acui.org.

The Project Description and Photo Upload sections in the Nominee Information application should include the following:

  1. A description about connections with the campus community at the location of the project.
  2. Details about the planning and design process, including input from students, collaborations, and planning for the future.
  3. Highlight the planning, work, and processes that might differentiate the project from other entries.
  4. Emphasize usage and people in photos, specifically illustrating:
    • Use of building by the community;
    • Exterior views showing principal facades, exterior entrance, courtyards, etc.
    • Exterior view or diagram of how the building fits into existing campus structure;
    • For renovations and additions, before and after photographs;
    • Interior views. These might include entrance area, dining service, lounges, public areas, student activities spaces, and anything else relevant to the project.
    • Any additional views and diagrams explaining special design features that capture the uniqueness of the project  

To submit an application, corporate members or non-members must have or create an account login. After logging in go to the Awards dropdown and select Facility Design Awards. Applications autofill with profile information, and are saved pending final submission. Payment via check or credit card must also be received no later than Monday, January 6, 2026. Initial submission price is $725 and $675 for each additional submission for ACUI members; non-member submission rates are $1,775 for the initial submission; $675 for each additional submission.

submit your entry

The review process includes, but is not limited to, an assessment of the criteria listed as needed in the submission.

Architects for college union or campus life facility projects built anywhere in the world are eligible to apply for these awards. Projects must:

  • Have been completed, occupied, and in service prior to entry.
  • Have been completed since December 1, 2022.
  • Have not been submitted  more than three times for the award.
  • Have not previously won an ACUI Facility Design Award. 
2024
  • Perkins&Will, Cox Hall Identity Spaces, Emory University
  • Workshop Architects, Purdue Memorial Union, Purdue University
  • CannonDesign, Western Michigan Student Center, Western Michigan University
  • Mackey Mitchell Architects, Lamar Johnson Collaborative, Clayco, SCAD Forty Four and Forty Five, Savannah College of Art & Design–Atlanta
2023
  • Opsis Architecture, Wacheno Welcome Center, Clackamas Community College
  • Mackey Mitchell Architects, Ashley McGraw Architects, Hildegarde and J. Myer Schine Student Center, Syracuse University 
  • WTW Architects, JLG Architects 
    Memorial Union, University of North Dakota 
  • Duda|Paine Architects, VMDO Architects 
    Student Health & Wellness Center, University of Virginia
2022
  • L. Gale Lemerand Student Center at Daytona State College by ikon.5 architects
  • Creative Village by at University of Central Florida and Valencia College by Cannon Design
  • D.P. Culp Center at East Tennessee State University by Moody Nolan
  • Michigan Union at the University of Michigan by Workshop Architects