Calling all emerging architects: Enter to win the $20,000 Forge Prize

Channel your inner Ludwig Mies van der Rohe or Philip Johnson by participating in The Forge Prize, an annual steel design competition that awards $20,000 to the architect who develops the most visionary design concept that embraces steel as the primary structural component to increase project speed.

Established by the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC), The Forge Prize recognizes innovation in the use of steel and how it can be used to reduce design and construction time.

The two-stage design challenge will culminate in the selection of up to three Finalists in February 2020 (each will receive a $10,000 stipend) and the public announcement of a Grand Prize Winner ($20,000 total prize) in Spring 2020.

The competition is open to U.S.-based emerging architects who are either pursuing licensure or are licensed 10 years or less in the year 2020. Participants must be working professionals in any of the following firm types: architecture firm, AE firm (but submitting as an emerging architect), or design-build firm (but submitting as an emerging architect).

There is no cost to enter. The deadline for stage one submissions is January 15, 2020. Entry details at: www.forgeprize.com/about

Meet the 2019 Forge Prize winner and finalists

Looking for inspiration? Meet last year's winner and finalists:

WINNER: The 2019 Forge Prize Grand Prize Winner was Jin Young Song, AIA, Assistant Professor at University at Buffalo, and Founder of DIOINNO Architecture PLLC, for his SIMS (Snap-Interlock Module System) design concept. The design is pictured here (and above. All photos courtesy AISC.):

FINALIST: The 2019 Forge Prize Finalists included Valeria Rybyakova, Achitectural Designer with Perkins Eastman, for her submission "Responsive Enclosure for Public Pool," pictured here:

FINALIST: Jingyu Lee, PE, RA, LEED AP, Design Engineer, Magnusson Klemencic Associates, was named a Finalist for his design concept, "Reimagined Office Tower Using Cantilevered Trusses," pictured here:

Boyd R. Zoccola is Chair and Chief Elected Officer of BOMA International. A BOMA member since 1994, he has served on the Executive, Finance, Investment, and Medical/Healthcare Facilities Committees. An Indiana Real Estate Principal Broker and a board member of the Real Estate Round Table, he is Executive Vice President of Hokanson Companies, Inc., of Indianapolis, and has been involved in the development of $600 million worth of real estate. On a volunteer basis, Zoccola was president of Horizon House and a board member of Girls, Inc. He holds a BA in biology from Indiana University.