The New England Chapter of the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art is pleased to announce its 2026 Bulfinch Awards
Named for Boston architect Charles Bulfinch (1763-1844), America’s first native-born architect and the designer of the Massachusetts State House, the awards recognize the best work of individuals and firms to preserve and advance the classical tradition in New England.
Please note the submission deadline is June 15, 2026
CATEGORIES
- Residential (New Construction) over 5,000 SF
- Residential (New Construction) under 5,000 SF
- Residential (Restoration, Renovation, or Addition)
- Townhouses & Apartments
- Commercial
- Institutional
- Civic
- Ecclesiastic
- Interior Design
- Landscape Architecture
- International
- Craftsmanship/Artisanship
- Historic Preservation
- Sketch
- Small Project/Folly
- Community Oriented Design
- Student Portfolio
- Patronage
- Stewardship
ELIGIBILITY
Submitted projects must be in the six New England states, with the exception of Fairfield County, Connecticut, and must have been completed in the past ten years (since June 2016). There is no limit as to where the applicants or firms are located.
All entrants must be current active members of the ICAA.
Entrants for the student portfolio category must be currently enrolled or recent graduates (not more than two years) of an undergraduate, masters, or certificate program located in the United States.
Entrants for the Community Oriented Design category must either live and/or work in the six New England states, except for Fairfield County, Connecticut, or live and/or work elsewhere with the submission located within the same geographical boundaries.
By submitting these materials you acknowledge that you are fully authorized to submit this entry either as your own project or on behalf of the designer(s) and that you have the right to utilize all the photographs, drawings, and printed materials included in the submission.
All entry materials become the property of the Bulfinch Awards and shall not be returned. By entering, the entrant agrees that entry materials may be used at the discretion of the Bulfinch Awards and the ICAA for awards presentations and marketing related to the Bulfinch Awards.
For more information or help please contact smacdonald@classicist-ne.org or DHenao@aimmedia.com
2026 BULFINCH AWARDS
Submission Requirements and Information
The New England Chapter of the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art is pleased to announce its Fourteenth Bulfinch Awards. Named for Boston architect Charles Bulfinch (1763-1844), America’s first native-born architect and the designer of the Massachusetts State House, the awards recognize the best work of individuals and firms to preserve and advance the classical tradition in New England.
Please note the submission deadline is June 15, 2026
CATEGORIES
- Residential (New Construction) over 5,000 SF
- Residential (New Construction) under 5,000 SF
- Residential (Restoration, Renovation, or Addition)
- Townhouses & Apartments
- Commercial
- Institutional
- Civic
- Ecclesiastic
- Interior Design
- Landscape Architecture
- International
- Craftsmanship/Artisanship
- Historic Preservation
- Small Project/Folly
- Community Oriented Design
ELIGIBILITY
Submitted projects must be in the six New England states, with the exception of Fairfield County, Connecticut, and must have been completed in the past ten years (since June 2015). There is no limit as to where the applicants or firms are located.
All entrants must be current active members of the ICAA.
Entrants for the Community Oriented Design category must either live and/or work in the six New England states, except for Fairfield County, Connecticut, or live and/or work elsewhere with the submission located within the same geographical boundaries.
By submitting these materials you acknowledge that you are fully authorized to submit this entry either as your own project or on behalf of the designer(s) and that you have the right to utilize all the photographs, drawings, and printed materials included in the submission.
All entry materials become the property of the Bulfinch Awards and shall not be returned. By entering, the entrant agrees that entry materials may be used at the discretion of the Bulfinch Awards and the ICAA for awards presentations and marketing related to the Bulfinch Awards.
WINNERS’ RECEPTION
To express gratitude, the New England chapter’s board will host a private cocktail party on Friday evening, the night before the award ceremony, for the Bulfinch Awards winners, the officers and board members of the New England Chapter, and the award gala’s Platinum sponsors. The winners will receive two tickets each*. This intimate gathering will be held at a nearby location yet to be determined. The board looks forward to clinking glasses with its accomplished laureates and dedicated sponsors.
* Note – It is required that all winners provide representation at the winner’s reception with the option of bringing a guest.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Category-specific requirements:
1. Residential (New Construction) over 5,000 SF
Floor plans and elevations are required. Square footage is defined as all finished living spaces not including garages, unfinished basements, attics, covered patios, or porches.
2. Residential (New Construction) under 5,000 SF
Floor plans and elevations are required. Square footage is defined as all finished living spaces not including garages, unfinished basements, attics, covered patios, or porches.
3. Residential (Restoration, Renovation, or Addition)
The inclusion of before-and-after plans and/or photography is strongly encouraged. Entrants should clearly indicate the scope of their restoration, renovation, or addition work. Restoration work which is limited to a single craft or object should be submitted in the “Craftsmanship/Artisanship” category.
4. Townhouses and Apartments
Floor plans and elevations are required. The inclusion of before-and-after plans and/or photography is strongly encouraged for renovations. Entrants should clearly indicate the scope of their restoration, renovation, or addition work.
5. Commercial
Floor plans and elevations are required. Submissions can be new construction or addition/renovation work. For addition/renovation work the inclusion of before and after plans and/or photography is strongly encouraged to clearly indicate the scope of the entrant’s work.
6. Institutional
Submissions may be new construction or renovation work. For renovation work the inclusion of before and after plans and/or photography is strongly encouraged to clearly indicate the scope of the entrant’s work.
7. Civic
Floor plans and elevations are required. Submissions can be new construction or addition/renovation work. For addition/renovation work the inclusion of before and after plans and/or photography is strongly encouraged to clearly indicate the scope of the entrant’s work.
8. Ecclesiastic
Floor plans and elevations are required. Submissions can be new construction or addition/renovation work. For addition/renovation work the inclusion of before and after plans and/or photography is strongly encouraged to clearly indicate the scope of the entrant’s work.
9. Interior Design
Submissions may be new construction or renovation work. For renovation work the inclusion of before and after plans and/or photography is strongly encouraged to clearly indicate the scope of the entrant’s work.
10. International
This category is for projects completed outside the United States by firms in the New England region (expect for Fairfield County)
11. Landscape Architecture
This category is intended for all scales of landscape design from residential to urban design.
12. Craftsmanship/Artisanship
This category is intended for individuals and companies in the allied arts (i.e. iron work, woodwork, plaster, masonry, sculpture, decorative painting, etc.).
13. Historic Preservation
The inclusion of before-and-after plans and/or photography is strongly encouraged. Entrants should clearly indicate the scope of their restoration, renovation, or addition work. Restoration work which is limited to a single craft or object should be submitted in the “Craftsmanship/Artisanship” category.
14. Small Project/Folly
Submissions may be new construction or renovation work. For renovation work the inclusion of before and after plans and/or photography is strongly encouraged to clearly indicate the scope of the entrant’s work.
15. Community Oriented Design
This category celebrates designs that foster a sense of community. It’s about “we” instead of “me.” The built submission can be a place, a building, a group of buildings, or a town. But it will be selected by the degree to which it joins with its context, which attracts people by augmenting pleasurable experience, maximizing opportunities for enough serendipitous connections to restore perilously absent collective consciousness.
NOTE – Judges reserve the right to not choose a winner for any particular category.
The name of the firm or individual submitting the project must not appear in the portfolio pdf, but only the Project Name. Note: Patron applications do not need to be anonymous.
IV. Submission Fees:
ICAA member: $175.00 per entry
ICAA Membership Requirement - You must be an active member of the ICAA (regardless of chapter location) to submit.
2026 BULFINCH AWARDS
Submission Requirements and Information
The New England Chapter of the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art is pleased to announce its Fourteenth Bulfinch Awards. Named for Boston architect Charles Bulfinch (1763-1844), America’s first native-born architect and the designer of the Massachusetts State House, the awards recognize the best work of individuals and firms to preserve and advance the classical tradition in New England.
Please note the submission deadline is June 15, 2026
CATEGORIES
Student Portfolio
ELIGIBILITY
Entrants for the student portfolio category must be currently enrolled or recent graduates (not more than two years) of an undergraduate, masters, or certificate program located in the United States.
All entrants must be current active members of the ICAA.
This category seeks projects from currently enrolled students completed in academic setting (i.e undergraduate, graduate, or certificate program or equivalent) to be described in no more than five images.
By submitting these materials you acknowledge that you are fully authorized to submit this entry either as your own project or on behalf of the designer(s) and that you have the right to utilize all the photographs, drawings, and printed materials included in the submission.
All entry materials become the property of the Bulfinch Awards and shall not be returned. By entering, the entrant agrees that entry materials may be used at the discretion of the Bulfinch Awards and the ICAA for awards presentations and marketing related to the Bulfinch Awards.
WINNERS’ RECEPTION
To express gratitude, the New England chapter’s board will host a private cocktail party on Friday evening, the night before the award ceremony, for the Bulfinch Awards winners, the officers and board members of the New England Chapter, and the award gala’s Platinum sponsors. The winners will receive two tickets each*. This intimate gathering will be held at a nearby location yet to be determined. The board looks forward to clinking glasses with its accomplished laureates and dedicated sponsors.
* Note – It is required that all winners provide representation at the winner’s reception with the option of bringing a guest.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Category-specific requirements:
Student Portfolio
This category seeks projects from currently enrolled students completed in academic setting (i.e undergraduate, graduate, or certificate program or equivalent) to be described in no more than five images.
NOTE – Judges reserve the right to not choose a winner for any particular category.
The name of the firm or individual submitting the project must not appear in the portfolio pdf, but only the Project Name.
IV. Submission Fees:
Student: $25.00 per entry
ICAA Membership Requirement - You must be an active member of the ICAA (regardless of chapter location) to submit.
2026 BULFINCH AWARDS
Submission Requirements and Information
The New England Chapter of the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art is pleased to announce its Fourteenth Bulfinch Awards. Named for Boston architect Charles Bulfinch (1763-1844), America’s first native-born architect and the designer of the Massachusetts State House, the awards recognize the best work of individuals and firms to preserve and advance the classical tradition in New England.
Please note the submission deadline is June 15, 2026
CATEGORY
Sketch
ELIGIBILITY
Entrants for the Sketch category must live and/or work in the six New England states, with the exception of Fairfield County, Connecticut, or the sketch subject matter must be within the same geographical boundaries and must have been completed in the past ten years (since June 2016).
All entrants must be current active members of the ICAA.
By submitting these materials you acknowledge that you are fully authorized to submit this entry either as your own project or on behalf of the designer(s) and that you have the right to utilize all the photographs, drawings, and printed materials included in the submission.
All entry materials become the property of the Bulfinch Awards and shall not be returned. By entering, the entrant agrees that entry materials may be used at the discretion of the Bulfinch Awards and the ICAA for awards presentations and marketing related to the Bulfinch Awards.
WINNERS’ RECEPTION
To express gratitude, the New England chapter’s board will host a private cocktail party on Friday evening, the night before the award ceremony, for the Bulfinch Awards winners, the officers and board members of the New England Chapter, and the award gala’s Platinum sponsors. The winners will receive two tickets each*. This intimate gathering will be held at a nearby location yet to be determined. The board looks forward to clinking glasses with its accomplished laureates and dedicated sponsors.
* Note – It is required that all winners provide representation at the winner’s reception with the option of bringing a guest.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Category-specific requirements:
Sketch
This category is intended celebrate the classical tradition of freehand field sketching in mediums such as watercolor, pencil, charcoal, etc. Submissions should not be finished works of art.
NOTE – Judges reserve the right to not choose a winner for any particular category.
The name of the firm or individual submitting the project must not appear in the portfolio pdf, but only the Project Name.
IV. Submission Fees:
Sketch Category: $25.00 per entry
ICAA Membership Requirement - You must be an active member of the ICAA (regardless of chapter location) to submit.
2026 BULFINCH AWARDS
Submission Requirements and Information
The New England Chapter of the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art is pleased to announce its Fourteenth Bulfinch Awards. Named for Boston architect Charles Bulfinch (1763-1844), America’s first native-born architect and the designer of the Massachusetts State House, the awards recognize the best work of individuals and firms to preserve and advance the classical tradition in New England.
Please note the submission deadline is June 15, 2026
CATEGORIES
- Patronage Application
- Stewardship Application
ELIGIBILITY
Submitted projects must be in the six New England states, with the exception of Fairfield County, Connecticut, and must have been completed in the past ten years (since June 2015). There is no limit as to where the applicants or firms are located.
All entrants must be current active members of the ICAA.
Entrants for the Community Oriented Design category must either live and/or work in the six New England states, except for Fairfield County, Connecticut, or live and/or work elsewhere with the submission located within the same geographical boundaries.
By submitting these materials you acknowledge that you are fully authorized to submit this entry either as your own project or on behalf of the designer(s) and that you have the right to utilize all the photographs, drawings, and printed materials included in the submission.
All entry materials become the property of the Bulfinch Awards and shall not be returned. By entering, the entrant agrees that entry materials may be used at the discretion of the Bulfinch Awards and the ICAA for awards presentations and marketing related to the Bulfinch Awards.
WINNERS’ RECEPTION
To express gratitude, the New England chapter’s board will host a private cocktail party on Friday evening, the night before the award ceremony, for the Bulfinch Awards winners, the officers and board members of the New England Chapter, and the award gala’s Platinum sponsors. The winners will receive two tickets each*. This intimate gathering will be held at a nearby location yet to be determined. The board looks forward to clinking glasses with its accomplished laureates and dedicated sponsors.
* Note – It is required that all winners provide representation at the winner’s reception with the option of bringing a guest.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Category-specific requirements:
Patronage Application
Bulfinch Awards Patrons may be self-nominated or nominated by a second party. It is the board’s intention to honor people or companies that have been exceptional philanthropic supporters of the classical tradition in architecture, urbanism and the allied arts in New England. This application must include specific written information plus any pictures supporting the application. The winner of the Patron category will be selected by the ICAA New England Chapter board of trustees.
Stewardship Application
Bulfinch Stewardship - It is the board’s intention to honor people that have been exceptional guardians/shepherds of the board of trustees of New England Chapter of the ICAA. This application must presented on behalf of a current member of the board of directors and will be selected will be selected by the ICAA New England Chapter board of trustees. Outside suggestions for consideration should be sent by email to the Executive Director for consideration of nomination.
NOTE – Judges reserve the right to not choose a winner for any particular category.
Note: Patron applications do not need to be anonymous.
IV. Submission Fees:
ICAA member: Free per entry
ICAA Membership Requirement - You must be an active member of the ICAA (regardless of chapter location) to submit.