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About the Awards
The Sir Walter Raleigh Awards for Community Appearance recognize outstanding new contributions to the character, environment, and appearance of the City of Raleigh. Since 1983, the Raleigh City Council has presented more than 200 Sir Walter Raleigh Awards to developers, designers, building owners, community groups, civic clubs, churches, and citizens.
Award Eligibility
Nominees for the Sir Walter Raleigh Awards must live in Raleigh or have a permanent location in the city. Other eligible projects or programs must be based in Raleigh or within its planning area. Nominated projects must have been completed within the last five years. Projects still under construction aren't eligible, and all nominated projects should focus on exterior design rather than only interior work. The "Community Impact" category is an exception, honoring people and groups who improve Raleigh's quality of life through design.
Submit Nominations
The 2025 Call for Nominations will run from 12:01 a.m. Monday, April 14 through 11:59 p.m. Monday, May 12. This is your chance to recognize projects and individuals that have contributed excellent design to our city.
Anyone can submit nominations:
- Prepare a single .zip file containing a minimum of ten (10) digital photos of the project/individual (maximum .zip file size of 100MB), and
- Complete the online nomination form.
Award Categories
Residential
Awards for this category are given for new residential development, conversion to residential use, or improvement made to existing residential areas. The entry may be for either multi-family developments or single-family developments of multiple buildings.
Commercial
Awards in this category are presented for all types of new retail, office construction, or adaptive use and may include industrial, warehouse, or corporate projects that have a positive impact on the city's visual environment.
Rehabilitation/Historic Preservation
Awards in this category are given for preservation or rehabilitation of existing buildings, especially Raleigh's historic resources.
Public Facilities
Awards in this category are for local, state, and federal projects including office, and transportation-related facilities.
Public Spaces
Awards in this category are given for projects which enhance the appearance and livability of public areas of the City, including parks, streets, neighborhoods, and churches.
Landscape Design
Awards in this category are for projects that exemplify an integrated approach to resource conservation, respect for existing features of the site, and/or significantly preserve Raleigh's natural features and trees, including exemplary design of utilitarian site elements transformed into public amenities.
Community Impact
Awards in this category are given for groups or individuals who have created and implemented projects of any scale that enrich the quality of life in Raleigh through design.
Educational
Awards in this category are for education-related facilities at any level of instruction, including preschool, elementary, middle, high school, college, or continuing education.
Master Plan - New in 2025
Awards in this category recognize long-term planning to enhance the character, environment, and visual appeal of Raleigh through thoughtful, innovative, and sustainable designs.
Selection Criteria
The awards jury evaluates entries using these general criteria:
- Setting a new standard of excellence that serves as a future example.
- Showing an understanding of the importance of caring for the land.
- Demonstrating community involvement and creativity. Preserving or restoring natural features like topography and trees.
- Making significant improvements to an existing site or structure.
- Preserving key historic or cultural features.
- Creating attractive and safe conditions that meet or exceed the requirements of ordinances, policies, conservation areas, and historic districts.
- Incorporating sustainable building practices, highlighting how the project's green features work.
- Enhancing existing site features and the surrounding community.
Sponsorship
Sponsorship information for the 2025 Sir Walter Raleigh Awards will be available soon. Contact Kasey Evans if you have additional questions.
