Quick Summary
Winning an award is nice. Knowing what to do after is where the real value lives. This post breaks down how using awards to grow your firm goes far beyond adding a logo to your website. Through a conversation with Heather Dubbeldam of Dubbeldam Architects, we explore how awards can build international credibility, support business development, and strengthen proposals and RFPs. From third-party storytelling to long-term market expansion, this is a practical look at turning recognition into real momentum.
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A lot of firms win awards … and then quietly tuck them under a “Press” tab on their website.
Heather Dubbeldam does the opposite.
Heather and her firm, Dubbeldam Architects, have won 120+ awards, including multiple Architizer A+Awards.
Recently, Architizer connected me with Heather to unpack how she’s actually leveraged those wins to grow her practice.
(More on how you can apply for the Architizer A+Awards below).
Here are 3 ways awards turned into real business outcomes:
1. International credibility that opens doors
Heather’s firm is currently exploring opportunities in Europe.
Being recognized on a global platform like Architizer’s has helped open doors there. Sometimes, as an easy conversation starter with past A+Award winners, and other times, simply by helping the firm be taken seriously when reaching out cold.
2. Storytelling that doesn’t feel like bragging
“People care more about the story than the announcement itself,” Heather shared.
Instead of posting “We won an award,” Architizer tells the story behind the work. When the platform tells it, not you, the firm, the credibility (and reach) is far greater. It feels like earned visibility, not self-promotion.
Architizer has 1.6 million Instagram followers, around 800K monthly website visits, and 125K email subscribers.
3. Added legitimacy in proposals and RFPs
Awards aren’t the only factor, but they help to win new projects. Heather described them as lending “legitimacy and trust,” especially an award like A+Award because Architizer is respected worldwide and the jury process is so rigorous.
In her words: “Anything that gives you an edge in a tough market helps.”
How to Apply for the A+Award
If you’re thinking about applying for an A+Award this year, you can use the code FINDABLE for $25 off your entry fees. Read more here.
Some notes:
- You do not have to be in Canada to use our discount code.
- There are two more deadlines (Jan 30, and Feb 27). The price increases with every deadline.
- You do not have to be an architecture firm. It’s also open to interior and landscape designers. Here’s a full list of categories.
Heather’s final advice:
“Clear writing matters more than people realize. Judges read thousands of entries — make yours easy to understand.”
