The Institute awards a Gold Medal for the design of a building of exceptional merit completed within a three-year period.  The purpose of the award is to encourage the development of architecture in Ireland and to give public recognition to architects of distinction.

RIAI Triennial Medal Awards

1. RIAI Medal Awards can be awarded and presented only to RIAI Members.
2. The purpose of the RIAI Triennial Medal Awards is to encourage the development of architecture in Ireland by giving public recognition to architects responsible for buildings of exceptional merit.
3. Only buildings designed by architects or architectural firms practising in Ireland are eligible. Where the architect or architectural practice is part of a multi-disciplinary organisation a Medal Award can be made and presented only to a named architect in the architectural section of such an organisation.
4. Any member of the Institute may nominate any building or buildings for consideration, including any buildings, which the member has designed.
5. The Council may nominate buildings for consideration.
6. The Jury may make or accept other nominations in addition to any which may be made by members of the Institute or by Council.
7. Nominations must be in writing, signed and must show the dates of completion of buildings.
8. The Council will nominate a Jury to assess nominations and make recommendations to Council.
9. It is the function of the Jury to ensure that only eligible buildings are considered.
10. The Jury may recommend that a building receive the Award/and or that building be Highly Commended or Commended; the Jury may recommend that no award be made.
11. The Council reserves the right to make or not to make any Award.
12. The Jury will submit a written judgement of about 400 words on the winning nomination, nominations Highly Commended or Commended, on the general standard of buildings nominated and on any other matters that may merit comment.
13. The Council may direct the Jury on any matter pertaining to a Triennial Medal Award.