UltraTech Latitude Design Awards 2026
Recognizing Excellence in Design by IIA - Karnataka Chapter
1. INTRODUCTION
The ULTRATECH LATITUDE DESIGN AWARDS 2026, organised by The Indian Institute of Architects – Karnataka Chapter (IIA-KC), celebrates excellence, innovation and integrity in architectural and interior design. The Awards recognise projects that demonstrate a thoughtful response to context, people, materials and the built environment.
As part of Latitude, the Awards seek to broaden the conversation around design excellence by recognising not only outstanding architectural works, but also the quality of spaces and experiences created within and around buildings. Particular emphasis is placed on architectural design, spatial quality, contextual response and the ability of design to create meaningful and enduring places.
The Awards are presented alongside the Young Architects Festival (YAF), a national platform for emerging architects. Reflecting this association, the Awards include a dedicated Young Architects Category, providing a platform for emerging practitioners to showcase their ideas, talent and contribution to the evolving discourse of architecture and design.
The ULTRATECH LATITUDE DESIGN AWARDS 2026 invite architects, interior designers and practitioners from related creative disciplines to present work that demonstrates design excellence and contributes meaningfully to the built environment.
Participation in the Awards constitutes acceptance of these Terms & Conditions.
2. AWARDS CEREMONY
The ULTRATECH LATITUDE DESIGN AWARDS 2026 ceremony will be held on:
3. AWARD CATEGORIES
A. Residential
- A.1 Single Residence
- A.2 Multifamily Dwellings
B. Public Buildings
- B.1 Public Spaces / Transportation / Art Galleries / Recreational / Sports / Multiplexes
- B.2 Hospitality – Hotels / Resorts / Homestays
C. Educational
- C.1 Schools / Institutes of Higher Learning
D. Healthcare
- D.1 Hospitals / Wellness Centres / Assisted Living Facilities
E. Interior Design
- E.1 Residential
- E.2 Non-Residential
F. Beyond Architecture
- F.1 Furniture Design / Product Design / Architectural Detailing / Art & Sculpture / Landscape Design
- F.2 Architectural Drawing as an Art Form / Product Marketing / Graphics / UI/UX
G. Young Architects*
- G.1 Young Architects – Submit exactly Three (3) projects from any of the categories from A to F.
*The Young Architects category is subject to the additional eligibility requirements specified in these Terms & Conditions.
4. ELIGIBILITY
4.1 General Eligibility
For the general architectural and interior design categories, the participating practice must have a registered office/practice in Karnataka.
The submitted project must have been completed during the period from 2022 to 2026.
4.2 Proof of Practice Registration and Address
Participants may be required to provide documentary evidence establishing the registration and address of their practice.
Acceptable documentation:
- GST Registration Certificate
- Firm Registration Document
- Official Government Registration
- Other statutory documentation acceptable to the organisers
4.3 Authorship
Projects submitted must be works undertaken by the participating architect, designer or practice.
Projects belonging to another architect or practice cannot be submitted by a subsequent architect or practice merely by virtue of employment, acquisition, succession, takeover or other subsequent association.
This restriction is intended to avoid disputes relating to copyright, authorship and ownership.
4.4 Employees of a Practice
An architect or designer employed by a practice may submit a project in which they were substantially involved, provided that they have the explicit permission of the firm to submit the project.
The firm responsible for the project must be identified in the registration.
A former employee may submit a project undertaken while working with a previous practice only with the explicit permission of that practice.
4.5 Primary Applicant
Each entry shall have one Primary Applicant.
Other architects, designers, consultants, collaborators and team members may be identified as appropriate in the Fact File.
4.6 Collaborative Practices / Joint Projects
Projects undertaken by two or more collaborating practices may be submitted provided that all collaborating practices consent to the submission.
The collaborating practices shall mutually identify one Primary Applicant.
The other participating practices and team members may be identified in the Fact File.
4.7 Additional Notes
Additional weightage may be given to projects involving:
- Rehabilitation
- Conservation
- Restoration
- Adaptive reuse
For such projects, where applicable, the entry must include documentation and images showing the condition of the structure before the work was undertaken.
Entries under the Interior Design category must include documentation and images showing the condition of the space/structure prior to the work carried out.
4.8 Young Architects
As part of the Young Architects Festival which is a National event being hosted by IIA Karnataka Chapter, the young architects category is open to all architects Nationwide satisfying the following conditions;
- For the Young Architects category, the registered architect may be located anywhere in India.
- The Principal Architect / Owner of the firm shall be 40 years of age or below as on 31 December 2026.
- Age eligibility is determined with reference to the applicant, and not the date on which the submitted project was completed.
- Self-attested proof of age document shall be included in the application. (Accepted documents- Aadhaar/PAN Card/Passport/Driving License)
- The Primary Applicant for the Young Architects category must be Registered with the Council of Architecture (COA)
- The Three (3) projects to be submitted can be from a single category or a combination of categories.
- A project submitted under the Young Architects category cannot simultaneously be submitted under the corresponding regular architectural category.
5. CATEGORY SELECTION
5.1 Primary Use
For architectural projects, the primary use of the building shall determine the appropriate award category.
Participants are responsible for selecting the appropriate category at the time of submission.
5.2 Transfer Between Categories
The Organisers may consider transferring an entry to another category if they determine that the project is more appropriately placed there.
The applicant may:
- accept the change; or
- withdraw the entry.
If neither option is exercised, the entry shall be disqualified.
6. REGISTRATION FEES
6.1 Standard Fees
- IIA-KC Members: ₹3,000 + GST per entry
- Non-IIA-KC Members: ₹4,500 + GST per entry
- Young Architects: ₹2,000 + GST per entry
- Interior Designers & Other Participants: ₹4,500 + GST per entry
- Architecture Students participating in Beyond Architecture: ₹1000 + GST per entry
6.2 Three-or-More-Entry Fee Cap
Participants submitting three or more entries may avail themselves of the following consolidated fee caps:
- IIA-KC Members: ₹6,750 + GST
- Non-IIA-KC Members: ₹10,125 + GST
- Interior Designers & Other Participants: ₹10,125 + GST
Note: The discounted fee for three or more entries shall apply only when all eligible entries are submitted by the same participant through a single participant login and processed as part of a single transaction. Entries submitted through separate logins or separate transactions shall not qualify for the consolidated discounted fee.
6.3 New IIA-KC Members
COA-registered architects who are not yet IIA-KC members may apply for IIA-KC membership through the membership facility provided by the Awards portal. Click here to Apply.
Newly registered IIA-KC members may avail themselves of the applicable IIA-KC member participation fee, subject to successful completion of their membership registration.
7. ONLINE SUBMISSION
The entire submission process shall be conducted online through the dedicated Awards website:
7.1 Fact File
Participants shall provide the following information:
- Name of Primary Applicant
- Photo ID – Aadhaar / PAN / Passport
- IIA Registration Number, where applicable
- COA Registration, where applicable
- GST Registration, where applicable
- Name of Firm / Practice
- Proof of Firm / Practice Registration
- Award Category
- Project Name
- Team Members
- Project Location / Map Link
- Constructed Area / Property Area
- Project Duration / Completion
7.2 Payment and UID
Upon completion of the Fact File, the payment gateway shall be made available.
Upon successful payment, a Unique Identification Number (UID) shall be issued for that particular entry and category.
- the UID is unique to that entry;
- it may be used only for that entry;
- it cannot be used for another category or project; and
- it must be incorporated into the submitted presentation in accordance with the prescribed format.
8. ANONYMITY OF SUBMISSIONS
The Awards shall follow an anonymous evaluation process.
8.1 Permitted Identifier
The UID shall be the only identifying reference permitted in the submitted entry material.
8.2 Prohibited Identifiers
No part of the submission shall directly or indirectly include the following:
- Primary Applicant's name
- Architect's name
- Designer's name
- Firm/practice name
- Firm logo
- IIA membership number
- Client name
- Consultant name
- Website addresses
- Hyperlinks
- Any other detectable identifiers
The inclusion of identifying information in the submitted material may result in cancellation or disqualification of the entry.
9. ENTRY FORMAT
- Maximum of three sheets per entry.
- Sheets must be in Landscape orientation.
- Sheet size: 16,000 × 9,000 pixels.
- Full-bleed compositions are permitted.
- File format: JPG only.
- Maximum image bit depth: 24-bit colour.
- Maximum individual file size: 33 MB.
- Maximum combined size of three sheets: 100 MB.
- Presentation may be in colour, monochrome or a combination of both.
- All text and graphics must be sharp and legible.
- Information presented in the entry must correspond with the information provided in the Fact File.
10. EVALUATION AND JURY
10.1 Initial Scrutiny
All entries shall first be vetted for:
- Completeness
- Eligibility
- Compliance with the relevant category
- Compliance with submission requirements
The Organisers may contact participants for clarification or additional information where necessary.
10.2 Stage 1 – Shortlisting
A distinguished Panel of Jurors shall assess eligible entries and shortlist projects for the final stage.
10.3 Stage 2 – Final Jury
The shortlisted projects shall be presented to the distinguished invitees at LATITUDE 2026, who will join the Jury and participate in the selection of winners.
The Primary Applicant shall be present at the final jury to present / defend their design.
10.4 Jury Discretion
The Jury shall have sole discretion over the following:
- Shortlist entries
- Confer an Award
- Decide not to confer an Award
- Determine the number and type of recognitions
10.5 Jury Confidentiality
The decisions, deliberations, opinions and proceedings of the Jury shall remain confidential and shall not be made public or otherwise disclosed.
10.6 Finality
The decisions of the Awards Committee regarding the Awards modality and process and the decisions of the Jury shall be final and binding on all participants.
Such decisions shall not be subject to appeal or challenge.
11. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND VERIFICATION
The organisers and/or Jury may request additional information or documentation from participants, particularly shortlisted participants including but not limited to:
- Project videos
- Additional photographs
- Drawings
- Reports
- Project documentation
- Proof of eligibility
- Proof of age
- Proof of practice registration
- Proof of membership
- Authorisation from a firm
- Any other relevant documentation
Failure to provide requested information within the stipulated time may result in disqualification.
12. AWARD AND CERTIFICATE
The Award and Certificate shall be issued in the name of the Primary Applicant / Firm as declared during registration.
Where a team has been identified in the Fact File, the team members may be acknowledged in the manner determined by the organisers.
13. PUBLICATION, DISPLAY AND USE OF ENTRY MATERIAL
All entry material submitted to IIA-KC for the Awards shall be retained as the property of IIA-KC.
IIA-KC shall be free to use, reproduce, publish, display, exhibit, broadcast or otherwise disseminate the submitted material for purposes including but not limited to:
- Institute publications
- Awards publications
- Exhibitions organised by IIA-KC
- Digital platforms
- Media partnerships
- Broadcast or telecast
- Promotional activities
- Archival purposes
Participants shall have no claim for compensation or other consideration arising from such use.
Participants are responsible for ensuring that they have the necessary rights and permissions to submit all material forming part of their entry.
14. DECLARATIONS, COPYRIGHT AND AUTHORISATION
Participants shall ensure that the information provided in the Fact File and declaration is accurate and complete.
By submitting an entry, the participant confirms that:
- the project is an original work undertaken by the participant and/or the identified practice.
- the participant has the necessary authority to submit the project.
- where the participant is an employee or former employee of a practice, the required explicit permission of the practice has been obtained.
- where the project is a collaboration between practices, all collaborating practices have consented to the submission.
- the participant has the necessary rights to submit the photographs, drawings, graphics and other materials forming part of the entry.
- the project was completed within the stipulated period.
- the project has been handed over and is under use by the intended user.
- no action or proceeding is pending before any statutory authority concerning any irregularity relating to the project, to the best of the participant's knowledge and declaration.
15. STATUTORY STATUS AND LEGAL LIABILITY
15.1 No Legalisation
The presentation of an Award to any project does not legalise, regularise, approve or validate the statutory status of the project.
15.2 Subsequent Disputes
If an Award-winning project is subsequently found to be involved in a dispute or to be in violation of any applicable law, regulation, approval or statutory requirement, the Award shall have no legal standing or validity in relation to such dispute or violation.
15.3 Participant Responsibility
The management of the Awards is based on the bona fide declaration and information provided by the participant.
Participants remain responsible for the accuracy of their submissions and declarations.
15.4 Indemnity
The Organisers and the Jury shall not be held legally liable for any disputes, claims, proceedings, or other legal implications arising out of or in connection with the conduct, evaluation, or outcome of the Awards.
16. WITHDRAWAL, CANCELLATION AND DISQUALIFICATION
The organisers reserve the right, in consultation with the Jury where appropriate, to withdraw or cancel an entry or Award where:
- incorrect information has been provided
- material information has been withheld
- false or misleading declarations have been made;
- the project is found to be ineligible;
- prohibited identifying information is included;
- copyright or authorship concerns arise;
- the required permission of a firm has not been obtained;
- statutory violations or irregularities are established;
- requested verification documents are not provided;
- the entry does not comply with the submission requirements
- any other material breach of these Terms & Conditions occurs.
Where documentary evidence of a violation, misrepresentation or incorrect information is brought to the attention of IIA-KC prior to the actual presentation of the Award, the organisers reserve the right to withdraw or cancel the entry or Award in consultation with the Jury.
17. INSUFFICIENT ENTRIES
Categories receiving an insufficient number of eligible entries may be cancelled at the discretion of the organisers.
The organisers shall not be obliged to confer an Award in every category.
18. POSTHUMOUS AWARDS
In the event of the death of an individual whose project has been selected for an Award prior to the actual presentation of the Award, the organisers may, at their discretion, present the Award posthumously.
19. PRESENTATION OF AWARDS
The primary applicant shall be present at The Awards ceremony to receive the award.
If the primary applicant is unable to attend the Awards ceremony, a nominated representative may receive the Award on the winner's behalf, subject to prior notification to the organisers.
20. COMMUNICATION
All official communication regarding the Awards, including requests for clarification, additional information or documentation, may be made through the contact details provided by the participant during registration.
Participants are responsible for ensuring that the contact information provided during registration remains valid and accessible throughout the Awards process.
For clarifications regarding the Awards:
Email: support@iiakarnataka.com
21. ACCEPTANCE OF TERMS
Submission to the ULTRATECH LATITUDE DESIGN AWARDS 2026 constitutes confirmation that the participant has read, understood and agreed to these Terms & Conditions and all applicable instructions issued by IIA-KC in relation to the Awards.
IIA-KC reserves the right to interpret and administer these Terms & Conditions in accordance with the objectives and integrity of the Awards.
IIA-KC reserves the right to modify, amend, or introduce additional criteria, requirements, or processes at any stage of the Awards, as it may deem appropriate and necessary.
The decisions of the Awards Committee and Jury, as specified herein, shall be final and binding.