Orchids Beautification Awards
November 4, 2026 at Knoxville Museum of Art
Since 1979, Keep Knoxville Beautiful has presented Orchids Beautification Awards to Knoxville and Knox County buildings, public art, and outdoor spaces that beautify and elevate the local landscape. In addition to traditional categories such as New Architecture, Redesign/Reuse, Outdoor Space, and Public Art, Keep Knoxville Beautiful highlights the accomplishments and sustainable efforts of our valuable volunteers, community partners, and green organizations and businesses.
Nomination Requirements:
The nomination form must be filled out completely with photos.
Property must be in Knox County.
Property cannot have received an Orchid Award in the past 10 years.
Property must not be private residences or areas restricted to certain users (i.e. members only).
Project must have occurred in the past 5 years.
Project must be completed at the time of submission.
See the list below for a description of each category:
New Architecture
This award recognizes projects that demonstrate excellence in overall design, form, and proportion, appropriate use of materials, and contextual appropriateness to the surrounding community.
Redesign/Reuse
This award recognizes a project that successfully reuses existing building stock for the same or new use, demonstrating environmental stewardship by making use of an existing structure rather than tearing down and starting new.
Outdoor Space
This award recognizes well-designed parks, play spaces, patios, and public gardens, etc. that give us wonderful ways to enjoy the beauty of our East Tennessee home.
Community Project
This award recognizes projects completed by neighborhoods, schools, or apartment/condominium/senior living complexes that demonstrate pride in their communities through creative and well-designed communal spaces or projects for their residents/students to enjoy. Project examples include gardens, outdoor classrooms, pocket parks, community centers, neighborhood sign/beautification.
Public Art
The award for public art recognizes mural, sculpture, or signage projects that best enhance the surrounding environment, transform the landscape, and express the values of the community.
ReGreening
This award recognizes the project that has transformed something less green (hardscape, lawn) into something more green and beautiful (e.g. addition of trees or plants to the streetscape or paved vacant lot turned into a pocket park).
GREEN AT WORK
This award honors a business, school, or organization that demonstrates a strong commitment to sustainability in its day-to-day operations beyond standard operational practices. Through thoughtful waste reduction, resource conservation, and environmentally conscious practices, Green at Work nominees lead by example—creating a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable Knox County.
honorary Orchid Awards will be presented in the following categories:
City of Knoxville Bright Spot Award, Knox County Bright Spot, and Knox County Schools Bright Spot Award (Awarded to projects that exemplify the values of promoting a cleaner, greener, more beautiful Knoxville).
Mary Lou Horner Award (Awarded to a past Orchid winner that have continued Orchid worthiness).
Felicia Award (Awarded to a community member who exemplifies the values of promoting a cleaner, greener, more beautiful Knoxville).
Volunteer of the Year Award
Adopt -A- Road Group of the Year
Special Thanks to our 2026 Orchid Sponsors:
ORCHID WINNERS 2025
Community Project
ReOak - Oakwood-Lincoln Park
Green at Work
WM
New Architecture
Agriculture & Natural Resources Building, UTIA
Outdoor Space
Lakeshore Park Pavilions
Public Art
Pier 865 at Cradle of Country Music Park
Redesign/Reuse
Johnson Architecture Headquarters
Regreening
UTK Regional Stormwater Park
Volunteer of the Year
Sylvia and Wayne McLaurin
Adopt-A-Road Group of the Year
Theta Chi
Felicia Award
Sarah Brobst
Mary Lou Horner Award
Ijams Nature Center
City of Knoxville Bright Spot
Augusta Quarry
Knox County Bright Spot
French Broad Veterans Memorial Park
Knox County Schools Bright Spot
Fulton High School Outdoor Classroom and Garden