Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have a question that is not covered below? Please email eifsawards@eifscouncil.ca for inquiries.

Low rise residential, mid rise residential, high rise residential, commercial/retail, recreational/institutional, hospitality, renovations, and panelized/prefabricated EIFS system.

You may submit one project to one category only. However, you are permitted to submit multiple projects. You may not submit the same project twice.

General criteria:

  • Project must be occupied no sooner than January 1st, 2023 and no later than January 31st, 2025 (for all project categories EXCEPT renovation projects).
  • OR Project must be completed no sooner than January 1st, 2023 and no later than January 31st, 2025 (for renovation projects ONLY).
  • Project must be occupied by the time of submission
  • Project opaque walls must be comprised of more than 50% EIFS
  • Project site and building must be physically located in Canada
  • Project must not be a previous EIFS Architectural Design Awards Finalist or Winner

Category specific criteria:
Low rise residential:

  • Project must be within the scope of Part 9 of Division B of the NBC and be used or intended to be used residential occupancy
  • Project must be four (4) storeys or under in building height

Mid rise residential:

  • Project must be within the scope of Part 9 of Division B of the NBC and be used or intended to be used residential occupancy
  • Project must be four (4) to six (6) storeys in building height

High rise residential:

  • Project must be within the scope of Part 3 of Division B of the NBC and be used or intended to be used as residential occupancy

Commercial/Retail:

  • Project must be within the scope of Part 9 or Part 3 and be used or intended to be used business and personal services OR mercantile occupancy

Hospitality:

  • Project must be within the scope of Part 9 or Part 3 and be used or intended to be used for residential occupancy
  • Project must be a hotel, motel, or lodging house

Recreational/Institutional:

  • Project must be constructed in compliance with the NBC and be used or intended to be used for assembly occupancy

Renovation:

  • Project must be constructed in compliance with the local building code
  • Project must be a recladding of an existing building. If an addition was added to an existing building and new floor area was added, the project would not be eligible for the renovation category, but would be eligible for the appropriate category above)

Panelized/Prefabricated EIFS System

  • Project must use Panelized/Prefabricated EIFS Systems for at least 80% of its opaque walls
  • Project must be constructed in compliance with either Part 3 or Part 9 of the NBC

Please note: Project categories may be redefined, at the discretion of the judging panel, based on the number of participating projects.

Yes, but the project site and building must be physically located Canada.

Submissions are received online in electronic format using the submission portal.

All submissions must be received electronically, no later than 11:59 pm (EST) on April 21st, 2025

  • A project can be submitted to one (1) category only. You may submit multiple different projects.
  • All submissions must be in an electronic format
  • All submissions must contain the following PDF files:
    1. Drawings
      • Building renderings to demonstrate intended building envelope (EIFS) design
      • Typical EIFS wall section to illustrate and highlight technical merit
  1. A One-page summary (8.5 x 11”) which explains how the project fulfills the criteria below is required. This is a significant aspect of the project submission and will be used by the jury to understand the detailed narrative of the project that is not captured by the drawings. Projects without a written narrative will not be accepted.
    • Impact: How does the project contribute to its site, neighbourhood and community? (10 points)
    • Design: How does the project demonstrate innovation & creativity? (10 points)
    • Sustainability: Describe the project strategies that were incorporated to reduce the negative impact of the building on the environment? (10 points)
    • Use & Significance: How does this project create a new benchmark of excellence in EIFS construction? (10 points)
    • Technical excellence: How does the project demonstrate technical excellence and good building science principles? (10 points)
  2. Photo set:
    • High resolution photos (300 dpi recommended) of the completed project are desirable. It is suggested to obtain professional photography for the project.
    • Include photos of the project from different elevations
    • Do not include construction material/equipment or debris in the photos
    • Interesting angles and close-up shots of EIFS finishes are recommended
    • Include photos of the site that shows the project in its immediate context
    • Photos should be formatted on 8.5 x 11” sized page
    • Sixteen (16) single-sided pages maximum or 8 double sided pages

You will be asked to detail how the project addresses the following criteria:

  • Impact: How does the project contribute to its site, neighbourhood and community?
  • Design: how does the project demonstrate innovation & creativity?
  • Sustainability: Describe the project strategies that were incorporated to reduce the negative impact of the building on the environment?
  • Use & Significance: How does this project create a new benchmark of excellence in EIFS construction?
  • Technical excellence: How does the project demonstrate technical excellence and good building science principles?

Judges will be announced in February, 2025

May, 2025