Media & News News Don’t Overlook These HNA Awards Categories

Tag: HNA Awards 2026

Don’t Overlook These HNA Awards Categories

Every year, hundreds of exceptional projects are submitted to the Hardscape North America (HNA) Awards. While some categories naturally attract a large number of entries, other categories typically receive fewer submissions.

If you’re looking to maximize your opportunities for recognition, it’s worth taking a closer look at some of this year’s less-crowded categories. A smaller field means your project has more opportunity to stand out on its own merits and catch the judges’ attention.

Here are a few categories to consider before the 2026 submission deadline on August 5:

Segmental Concrete Pavement – Permeable Interlocking Concrete Pavement (PICP)

Permeable pavement continues to grow in popularity as communities seek sustainable stormwater management solutions, yet the PICP category has historically received fewer entries than the other segmental concrete pavement categories. If your project incorporates permeable pavement, this is an opportunity to showcase not only craftsmanship but also innovative environmental design.

Retaining Walls – Commercial

Retaining walls are often among the most complex projects contractors tackle, especially in commercial settings where engineering, site constraints, and long-term performance all come into play. If you completed a project that overcame difficult grades, stabilized a challenging site, or integrated retaining walls into a larger commercial development, this is a category worth considering.

Segmental Concrete Pavement – Commercial

Commercial hardscape projects often showcase some of the industry’s most technically demanding work. From plazas and streetscapes to campuses and public gathering spaces, these projects demonstrate precision, durability, and thoughtful design at scale.

Porcelain Paver Pavement – Residential and Commercial

Porcelain pavers have become an increasingly popular choice for contemporary outdoor spaces, but many eligible projects never make it into this category. Whether you’ve completed a sleek residential patio, a rooftop terrace, or a sophisticated commercial installation, don’t overlook the opportunity to compete alongside other porcelain paver projects.

Adhered Thin Veneers – Residential and Commercial

Adhered thin veneer applications can dramatically transform outdoor kitchens, fireplaces, seat walls, columns, and other vertical features. If manufactured stone veneer, dry-cast concrete thin veneer, natural stone thin veneer, or clay brick thin veneer played a significant role in your project, consider submitting it in this category.

Vintage Installation

One of the most unique categories in the HNA Awards, Vintage Installation recognizes projects completed more than 10 years ago that continue to perform beautifully today. Quality hardscape installations are built to last. If you completed a project years ago that still looks exceptional and continues to meet your client’s needs, now is the perfect time to bring it back into the spotlight. And if you are an HNA Award Winner from prior to 2017, think about submitting your winning project to this category to see if it can win again!

One Project May Qualify for Multiple Categories

Many installations feature multiple hardscape elements that may qualify for different categories.

“If a project can be entered into multiple categories, why not?” said Jeremy R. Martin, owner of Willow Gates Home & Landscape LLC and a 2025 HNA Award Winner. “If it’s a permeable paver patio next to a pool with some retaining walls, it could easily be eligible for three different categories!”

You can also resubmit projects from the previous HNA Awards cycle. If your project did not win or receive an honorable mention in a previous year, you may resubmit it in the same category. If your project won or received an honorable mention, it will only be considered if entered into a different category for the 2026 HNA Awards.

Take a fresh look at your portfolio before submitting. You may have more opportunities than you think!

Every Category Recognizes Excellence

Regardless of the category, every HNA Awards submission is evaluated using the same rigorous judging criteria, including design excellence, craftsmanship, quality of construction, compatibility with related materials and systems, and achievement of client goals.

The best strategy is to make sure your project is entered in the category where it truly belongs.

Not sure which category is the best fit? Review the full category descriptions or reach out to the HNA Awards team.

Ready to submit your project to the 2026 HNA Awards? Enter today!

Perspective: Why Gerry Garcia Submits His Clients to the HNA Awards

Every year, extraordinary hardscape projects are completed across the country. Landscapes are transformed, complex design challenges are solved, and contractors pour countless hours into delivering exceptional results for their clients. Yet many of these projects never receive recognition beyond their local markets.

That’s one of the reasons Gerry Garcia, Business Consultant: Project & Construction Strategy at Rosetta Hardscapes, is passionate about submitting projects to the HNA Awards on behalf of his clients.

Great Projects Deserve a Bigger Stage

According to Garcia, some of the industry’s most impressive work often goes unnoticed because contractors have to focus on what comes next.

“Contractors are constantly focused on the next project,” Garcia said. “Once an installation is complete, it can be difficult to revisit the site months later when the landscaping has matured, plantings have filled in, and the project truly shows its full impact.”

Many contractors simply don’t have the time, photography, or documentation needed to complete an awards submission. As a result, award-worthy projects are often never entered.

Garcia sees an opportunity to change that.

By helping gather information, photos, and project details, he ensures exceptional work gets the visibility it deserves on a national stage.

More Contractors Are Award-Worthy Than They Realize

One of the biggest surprises Garcia has encountered is how many talented contractors underestimate the quality of their own work.

“There is a level of humility within the industry,” he said. “”Our industry is filled with some of the hardest-working people I have had the privilege to know. Many contractors spend years building incredible projects without ever seeking recognition for the level of detail, creativity, and effort involved.”

Because Garcia supports projects across multiple regions, he has a unique perspective on the incredible craftsmanship, creativity, and problem-solving happening throughout the hardscape industry. He regularly sees smaller installation companies producing projects that rival the best work in the country.

Recognition of Team Effort

For Garcia, submitting projects is also about recognizing everyone who helped make a project successful.

“The recognition doesn’t belong solely to Rosetta,” he said. “It belongs to the producers, dealers and distributors, sales representatives, designers, and contractors who supported the project locally and ultimately brought it to life.”

Every award submission tells the story of collaboration. From design and planning to installation and execution, successful projects are the result of many people working together to solve challenges and create something exceptional.

The submission process can be an opportunity to celebrate that teamwork.

Strengthening Relationships Through Support

Helping clients enter projects into the HNA Awards has also strengthened Garcia’s relationships throughout the industry.

By assisting with project documentation, collecting photography, and managing the submission process, he helps busy contractors and sales teams gain recognition without adding another task to their already full schedules.

“Being able to help gather project information, collect photos, document details, and handle the submission process helps alleviate some of that workload while still giving their customers and markets the recognition they deserve,” Garcia said.

The result is a true win-win: clients receive recognition, and industry partners know they have someone invested in their long-term success.

Seeing Contractors Win

At the 2025 HNA Awards, Garcia’s client’s Amphitheater at Camp Lutherlyn project took home the top prize in the Combination of Hardscape Products– Commercial category and seeing his clients win never gets old.

“Seeing the contractor’s reaction to winning is probably my favorite part of the entire process,” he said.

When projects receive national recognition, the response is often appreciation, excitement, and pride. But even more importantly to Garcia, winning creates momentum.

“It encourages teams to keep pushing their creativity and craftsmanship and reinforces that the quality work being done in their local regions deserves to be recognized on a national stage,” Garcia said.

Don’t Let Great Work Go Unseen

If you’ve completed a project you’re proud of, the 2026 HNA Awards are an opportunity to share your work with the entire industry.

The HNA Awards are about celebrating craftsmanship, creativity, collaboration, and the people who make outstanding hardscape projects possible.

Submit a project today on your own or on your client’s behalf!  

Who Can Submit an Entry?


Who can submit an entry to the 2026 HNA Awards?

The HNA Awards are open to anyone with a great hardscape project to share!

The HNA Awards are designed to showcase excellence across the entire industry, which means they are open to professionals at every level, from seasoned veterans to first-time entrants. No matter your company size, specialty, or role in the industry, what matters most is the quality of the work you bring forward.

A Platform for Contractors and Installers to Showcase Craftsmanship

For contractors and installers, the HNA Awards represent a powerful opportunity to highlight the skill and precision that go into every project. From the first paver set to the final cut, your craftsmanship is what brings a design to life. Whether you run a one-person operation or manage multiple crews across a large region, the judging process is designed to evaluate the work itself, not the size of the company behind it.

If you’ve completed a project that reflects your standards and expertise, this is your chance to put it in front of top industry judges who understand exactly what it takes to deliver work at that level.

A Place for Designers to Share Their Vision and Creative Excellence

Behind every standout hardscape project is a thoughtful and well-executed design. Designers play a critical role in shaping spaces that are not only functional but visually compelling.

If you’ve created a design that balanced beauty and function, one that used color, texture, pattern, and shape to deliver something truly special, the HNA Awards offer a platform to bring that vision to a wider audience. This is an opportunity to demonstrate how strong design thinking elevates the entire project.

A Way for Distributors and Suppliers to Highlight the Power of the Right Materials

Distributors serve as a vital connection between innovative products and the professionals who bring them to life in the field. The HNA Awards provide a meaningful way to showcase projects where material selection played a key role in the outcome.

By submitting an entry featuring a client, you can illustrate how the right products, delivered at the right time, contribute to exceptional results and help push the industry forward.

A Place for Producers to Showcase Products in Real-World Applications

For producers, the HNA Awards offer a unique perspective on product performance. Your materials are ultimately judged by how they perform in real-world environments, and these awards give you the opportunity to highlight that proof. By submitting projects on behalf of your clients, you can demonstrate how your products contribute to successful installations and enduring designs, reinforcing their value through tangible results.

Get the Recognition Your Work Deserves

No matter your role within the hardscape industry, the HNA Awards exist to ensure that great work does not go unnoticed. This is your opportunity to gain recognition, share your achievements, and contribute to a broader conversation about excellence in hardscaping.

Take the time to gather the strongest projects and submit them. The Early Bird deadline is July 8 and the final submission date is August 5.

Enter Today!

The Countdown is On: How to Prepare a Winning 2026 HNA Awards Submission

The countdown is on! Submissions for the 2026 HNA Awards open May 18 and we couldn’t be more excited to see the incredible projects you’ve been working on.

With a couple weeks left before entries open, now is the perfect time to start preparing your submissions so you’re ready to go.

You’ll notice a few updates to this year’s application. The updated structure matches how projects are scored while also giving you clearer opportunities to showcase your work in the best possible light.

Tip #1: Choose a Catchy Project Title

Your Project Title is the first chance to have your project stand out! Whatever you enter here is how your project will be referenced in all announcements if you win. Choose something eye-catching, bold, and supportive of your overall narrative. A strong title sets the tone and helps your project stick in the minds of judges and audiences alike.

Tip #2: Write Directly to Judging Criteria

This year, each judging criterion has been separated within the application so you can address them individually. This mirrors the judges’ review process and allows you to call out specific strengths for each category.

Projects are not judged on writing style, but rather on the details within the information you provide. Treat the description like a guided tour for the judges who are industry pros like yourself. The more vividly you can describe the process, the more compelling your entry becomes.

You’ll be asked to provide descriptions of 50 words or less for each of the following criteria:

  • Design, including use of color, shape, texture, and pattern
  • Quality of finished project and craftsmanship
  • Construction creativity, going beyond the basics
  • Integration of the hardscape product(s) with surrounding materials and structures
  • Successfully achieving the client’s goal/reason for the project (Client testimonials are not required, but highly encouraged and very effective!)

Projects will be awarded up to 10 points for each of the five criteria, for a maximum of 50 points from each judge.

Tip #3: Select Photos Aligned with Criteria and Your Description

Photos are also separated by judging criteria this year. This allows you to upload images that directly support each category. You can also add captions to explain how the photo ties to the criterion, another great opportunity to highlight important details.

If possible, include a mix of before, during, and after images. Detail shots, wide views, and process pictures can all help the judges better understand your craftsmanship and design choices.

Make sure you upload high-res photos in an accessible format like .jpg or .png. HEIC format photos, which are typically from iPhone Live Photos, are not allowed because many judges are not able to open them on a PC. 

Tip #4: Know Your Project Completion Date

You’ll be asked to provide the project completion date to verify eligibility. This is a separate line in the submission form this year. Projects must have been completed between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2026. The only exception is the Vintage Installation category, which is reserved for projects completed before 2017.

Tip #5: Draft in a Document

We highly recommend drafting your responses to the Project Description section and your Photo captions using Google Docs, Microsoft Word, or another writing platform. This allows you to refine your answers, collaborate with your team, and keep a backup of your work. When the submission form opens or when you are ready to submit, you can simply copy and paste your polished responses directly into the application for ease and efficiency.

Tip #6: Client Approval is Required

All applicants must possess written approval from clients for submitted projects. This is especially important for residential submissions. Homeowners must provide consent for you to use any images included in your entry. Make sure you secure this permission before submitting to avoid any complications if your project wins!

Tip #7: Check Your Membership Standing and Test Access to the HNA Awards Portal

The HNA Awards are produced by the Concrete Masonry & Hardscapes Association (CMHA) and endorsed by the Brick Industry Association (BIA) and the Natural Stone Institute (NSI), so CMHA, BIA, and NSI members receive a discount! Be sure to check your membership status in advance and confirm you are in good standing so you can save some money on each entry.  

If you are a CMHA member in good standing, you will also have a Single Sign-On (SSO) experience. Your active CMHA member account will automatically integrate with the HNA Awards portal, making it easier to complete your profile and continue with your application process. BIA, NSI, and Non-Members will need to create a new account that will provide access to your HNA Awards profile. You can do this in advance by following the instructions here.

With a little preparation, you’ll be ready to hit submit as soon as entries open. We can’t wait to see the creativity, craftsmanship, and innovation you bring to the 2026 HNA Awards!

Got questions about the process? Contact us!

Attend Hardscape North America 2026
Register Today