The American Institute of Architects New York unveiled its 2026 design awards on Monday night, honoring projects of “outstanding architectural design” either in New York or created by New York-based firms.
Some of this year’s winners are predictably high profile: Lincoln Center’s revamped David Geffen Hall, home to the New York Philharmonic, and the long-anticipated Studio Museum building in Harlem were recognized for their transformative design. Several of this year’s awardees signal a broader shift in the profession from “starchitecture” toward socially grounded design.
But the list also celebrates small-scale design, like a humble public bathroom on Staten Island…