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About the Metropolis Planet Positive Awards
About the Awards
You are shaping the future of sustainable design. Now it is time to be recognized for it.
The METROPOLIS Planet Positive Awards are the leading awards program honoring sustainability, health, and wellbeing in the built environment. With more than 50 categories spanning projects, innovation, products, and people, the 2026 Planet Positive Awards celebrate the meaningful progress you are making toward a better, more resilient future.
The Benefits
Planet Positive Award winners are feted across Metropolis's channels and receive unparalleled editorial and event opportunities:
01: Winners will be published in the Nov/Dec 2026 Annual Sustainability Issue of Metropolis, reaching an engaged readership of over 52,000 readers.
02: Winners will be honored at an in-person awards ceremony hosted by Editor in Chief Avinash Rajagopal in San Francisco in September 2026.
03: The event will be broadcast nationally on DESIGNTV by SANDOW, delivering an estimated 110,000 impressions and 30,000 projected views.
04: Metropolis will spotlight winners across its digital ecosystem and social channels, extending your reach to more than 200,000 highly engaged followers.
05: Winners receive invitations to select Metropolis events across the United States, connecting you with influential peers, thought leaders, and future collaborators.
06: A custom Planet Positive Awards trophy recognizing your leadership in sustainable design and innovation.
Submission Fees
Early-bird Pricing for Innovation, Products, People, & Projects: $315
Early-bird pricing ends: April 30, 2026
Regular Pricing for Innovation, Products, People, & Projects: $350
Late Entry Pricing for Innovation, Products, People, & Projects: $375
Best Educator Award Pricing: $70
*the system will automatically charge $70 when the category is selected
NOTE: A 3% surcharge fee will be added to all orders paid by credit card. This fee covers the processing costs charged by credit card providers and does not exceed our cost of accepting your card.
Refunds are not available for submissions once they have been formally entered. Submissions made that do not follow eligibility requirements are disqualified, and we will, unfortunately, not be able to provide a refund.
Project Eligibility
Eligible Submitters: Architecture and Interior Design Firms
Eligible Projects: Project award applications do not need to be certified by LEED, WELL, LBC, or any other building certification to be eligible. Projects must have been completed within the past three years (2023–2026).
*Please note: this requirement does not apply to the Unbuilt category.
Categories Include: Workplace, K-12 Education, Higher Education, Hospitality, Cultural, Infrastructure, Civic, Mixed-Use, Single Family, Multifamily, Showroom and Retail, Unbuilt Project, Landscape, Pavilion or Installation, Retrofit or Repositioning, & Workplace Interiors
Innovation Eligibility
Eligible Submitters: Architecture and Interior Design Firms + Manufacturers
Eligible for Projects: Projects must have been completed within the last three years (2024–2026). Project award applications do not need to be certified by LEED, WELL, LBC, or any other building certification to be eligible.
Eligible for Products: Products are only eligible for recognition in the following categories: Innovation in Material Use in Products, Circularity Initiative in Products, and Corporate Sustainability Initiative. Eligible products must have been released within the last two years (2024–2026).
Categories Include: Community Engagement, Design for Resilience, Embodied Carbon Reduction, Impact on Health and Wellness, Social Impact, Overall Decarbonization, Adaptive Reuse, Historical Preservation, Use of Biobased or Biogenic Materials, Research & Development, Innovation in Material Use in Products, Circularity Initiative in Products, & Corporate Sustainability Initiative.
Product Eligibility
Eligible Submitters: Designers, Manufacturers, Architects, Distributors, and Showrooms
Eligible Products: Products must be released in the last two years (2024-2026).
Categories Include: Acoustics, Architectural Lighting, Architectural Systems, Ceilings, Decorative Lighting, Facade Systems, Hard Flooring, Kitchen and Bath, Office Furniture, Other Furniture, Outdoor Furniture, Outdoor Lighting, Paint, Residential Furniture, Soft Flooring, Surfaces Tiles Materials, Technology, Textiles, Timber, Wallcoverings, Walls, & Windows and Doors.
People Eligibility
Firm of the Year
This award recognizes one architecture or interior design firm demonstrating outstanding leadership in sustainability, wellness, equity, and resilience.
Rising Star
This award honors early- and mid-career professionals who have made meaningful contributions to sustainable, equitable, healthy, and resilient design within their firms.
Eligibility Criteria
· 1–10 years since receiving their terminal degree
· Currently working in the United States or Canada
Sustainability Consultant
This award recognizes consultants who work with design or client teams to provide expertise on design for sustainability, health, and equity in order to achieve outstanding project outcomes.
Eligibility Criteria
Sustainability consultants who work with architects or designers on design projects, or who work with corporations on their buildings or building portfolios. Consultancies must be headquartered in the US or Canada or have an office in those countries.
Sustainability Leader
This award recognizes an architecture, design, or sustainability leader who has had a significant influence on projects that make a positive impact in the world.
Eligibility Criteria
· Holds the title of director, associate, or higher.
· Working in the United States or Canada
Questions about eligibility? Contact awards@metropolismag.com
Timeline
Early-bird Deadline (For Innovation, Products People, & Projects): April 30, 2026 (11:59 PM ET)
Final Deadline: June 26, 2026 (11:59 PM ET)
In-Person Awards Ceremony: Live in San Francisco at The Center for Architecture and Design on September 30
Print Coverage: Jan/Feb Issue of Metropolis
Frequently Asked Questions
View the complete list of categories here.
When is the submission deadline?
All materials for submission must be provided by the deadline (June 26, 2026 12:00 PM ET). Submissions that do not follow the specifications will be disqualified without notice or refund. Metropolis reserves the right to reassign entries to a more appropriate category if necessary.
How does Early-bird pricing work?
If you complete and submit your entire entry by midnight on April 30, 2026, you'll enjoy an automatic discount of 10% off each submission, reducing your entry fee from $350 to $315.
What if I have questions?
Please email awards@metropolismag.com
Can I start my entry then return to it later?
Yes, you may begin your entry, save, and revisit it at any time prior to completing your payment. To access your in-progress entries, go to the "my account" link on the top right-hand side of the page. You will find a menu on the left with "My Entries".
What information do I need to submit to the awards?
You can download a preview of each category entry form here to see the specific entry fields.
Can I submit more than one entry?
Yes, you can submit more than one entry to multiple categories.
Can I edit or change my entry once it has been submitted?
If you need to make a vital change to a submitted entry, please email awards@metropolismag.com
How will the entries be judged and who will select the winners?
Project entries will be judged on how effectively they mitigate environmental impact, advance social equity, tackle complex challenges with creativity, and integrate beauty, function, and community value. Product entries are assessed for their innovation, contribution to health and equity, use of sustainable materials and processes, and transparency through third-party certifications.
How do I choose which category to enter?
Please enter the category that you feel best fits your submission. Metropolis reserves the right to reassign entries to a more appropriate category if necessary.
About Metropolis
Metropolis is your trusted source for what’s next in architecture and design. For over 40 years, we've championed a sustainable, just, and human-centered built environment—spotlighting climate action, equity, and innovation. From launching the Interior Design Pledge for Positive Impact to addressing carbon emissions in design, we’ve never lost sight of the biggest goals for architecture and design: making people’s lives better and safeguarding life on this planet. Through daily stories, tools, and events, we help you stay inspired, informed, and empowered to shape a better future through design.