THE PENDULUM PRIZE
Supporting the Next Generation of Designers (A Student Design Prize)
Pendulum is committed to strengthening the connection between architectural education and professional practice. As a firm, we benefit directly from the curiosity, rigor, and ambition that emerge from design studios and classrooms. The Pendulum Prize was established as one way to give back to that ecosystem by recognizing exceptional student work and supporting students as they transition from education into practice.
The Prize reflects the values and areas of expertise that shape Pendulum’s work across the country, and it is intended to celebrate design that is thoughtful, ambitious, and grounded in clear intention.
About the Prize
The Pendulum Prize is an annual student design award recognizing excellence in three categories that reflect the focus and leadership of the firm:
Sports and Recreation Architecture
Library & Learning Spaces
Public Interest Design
Three prizes of $2,000 each will be awarded annually - one to each region/university.
Projects may be speculative, academic, or research-based. Categories are intentionally broad. For example, a submission in Sports Architecture may focus on recreation, community athletics, emerging forms of sport, or traditional sports venues; and a submission in the library category could be a traditional building or even a space within a larger project conceived as a space for knowledge sharing formally very different from current library typologies
Eligibility
Submissions are open to students and recent graduates from partner institutions near each of Pendulum’s three regional offices: Kansas City, Baltimore, and Charlotte. For the 2026 Pendulum Prize, these universities are:
North Carolina State University
Morgan State University
University of Missouri–Kansas City
Eligible applicants include current students or recent graduates in architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, or related disciplines.
Recent graduates are defined as individuals who completed their degree within one year of the application deadline.
There is no entry fee.
What We Are Looking For
Submissions will be evaluated based on the clarity and success of the design intention rather than on graphic polish alone. The goal is not to reward a particular aesthetic, but to recognize work that demonstrates strong ideas, thoughtful execution, and an ability to engage important questions facing the built environment. We are rooting for you!
Submissions will be reviewed by members of Pendulum’s design staff as part of an internal, collaborative review process.
Submission Requirements
Pendulum is intentionally keeping submission requirements simple in order to avoid the reformatting burden common to many design awards.
Applicants will submit:
One PDF containing the project as presented for final review, in a portfolio, or other format of the applicant’s preference. (If the project is legible in its current state, no need to spend time reformatting).
A brief written project description, including the category selected
Submissions will be collected through a simple Google Form (link below) requesting basic information such as name, school, project title, category, and file upload. Files will be securely stored by Pendulum for review.
Submission deadline: June 1, 2026
Beyond the Prize
The Pendulum Prize is part of a broader commitment to engagement with universities and students. In addition to the annual award, Pendulum is open to supporting academic programs through:
Pro bono lectures or talks by firm leadership
Participation as guest critics for reviews
Collaborative research
These efforts are intended to strengthen the bridge between academia and practice and to support students as they explore the many possible paths within design.
Apply
[Apply for the Pendulum Prize HERE]
Questions about eligibility or submissions may be directed to:
Todd Ferry, todd.ferry@pendulumkc.com