The Namibia Architecture Awards of Merit are hosted by the Namibia Institute of Architects (NIA) on a two to three year cycle, creating a platform to recognize and promote excellence in architecture, through the adjudicating and showcasing of our members’ work.

The Awards of Merit are thus an important event in the architectural calendar as it embodies some of the core values and functions of the NIA. Moreover, the Awards do not only encourage the highest levels of performance for the architects in our society, but also aim to encourage an ongoing debate on architectural issues and create public awareness on the importance of architecture.

The NIA confers Awards of Merit on completed projects/ buildings as formal recognition of the achievements of its membership insofar as such projects/ buildings exceed their merely practical and pragmatic requirements. In addition to this they acknowledge the achievement of those projects that have risen beyond the basic level of competence, in being merely structurally sound and functionally adequate. Three categories of award exist, namely: Awards of Commendation, Awards of Achievement and Awards of Excellence.

The Awards are announced at a gala dinner in Windhoek, where a mini exhibition of the works submitted form the backdrop to the evening. The evening is an event to celebrate and acknowledge the architectural profession and its architects, bringing together clients, building consultants and contractors