Orchids Awards 2025 Nomination Application
Wednesday, November 5, 2025 at the Knoxville Museum of Art
Please fill out as much contact information as you can for the nominated property. Answer all questions about the property with as much detail as possible to strengthen your application. Judges for the Orchids Awards judge properties based on the nomination form and photos submitted. Click the button below to nominate an Orchid.
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.
Photos of the project must be submitted with application.
Nominations will close on August 29th, 2025.
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 reused 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, senior living facilities, and apartment/condominium 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 daily operations. Through waste reduction, recycling, resource conservation, and environmentally conscious practices, the recipient of this award sets a positive example for how workplaces and institutions can contribute to a cleaner, greener Knox County.
honorary Orchid Awards will be presented in the following categories:
City of Knoxville Bright Spot Award and Knox County 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