Orchids Awards 2024 Nomination Application

Wednesday, February 7, 2024 at the Mill & Mine

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.

ORCHIDS NOMINATIONS HAVE CLOSED.

If you are interested in still nominating an Orchid, please contact Lizzie Gaver at info@keepknoxvillebeautiful.org.

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.


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). 

PILLAR OF THE COMMUNITY

This award recognizes places that were built 20 or more years ago and in that time have become essential, beautiful, positive assets of their communities.

changemaker

This award recognizes an individual or organization that has gone the extra mile to promote a cleaner, or greener, or more beautiful Knox County in the past year through advocacy, planning, and/or community engagement.  

WASTE WISE

This award recognizes businesses and organizations that promote sustainable waste practices: reducing, reusing, and recycling. 

SPRUCE UP

This award recognizes maintenance and extra caretaking of existing buildings/structures/outdoor spaces (Examples: repainting, invasive removal, graffiti removal, general maintenance that lends to a more clean, green or beautiful space)

NOWHERE TO SOMEWHERE

This award recognizes a project that turned a property that was blighted, or unloved, or not thought into a place that is a destination or place recognized by the community. 

ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATION

This award recognizes a project that took extra measures to utilize or preserve the natural landscape.



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

We look forward to seeing you on February 7th!