ARDA 2026 is accepting submissions, and we want to keep introducing you to the talented professionals who will be evaluating this year’s entries.

Today, we’re excited to introduce Michael J. Battaglia — a residential designer whose career spans nearly five decades and whose obsession with accuracy and well-coordinated construction documents sets the bar for excellence in the field.

Michael began his career in 1975 working as a Staff Designer for a residential building company. It was there, working directly with builders, that the importance of well-designed and coordinated construction documents became crystal clear. Through the years, working with various design firms — from builders to architectural practices — he developed expertise across a wide variety of projects, always with an eye toward what it takes in the field to successfully construct each one. Understanding field requirements became paramount. Accuracy and a well thought-out set of construction documents became an obsession.

Today, Michael J. Battaglia Residential Design has completed custom home designs for projects in multiple states throughout the Midwest — from Northern Michigan through Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, North and South Carolina, Florida, and Arkansas, as well as Arizona and California.

Michael is an active member in organizations including Habitat for Humanity, Miami Valley Building Officials Council, and most importantly, the AIBD. As an AIBD member, Michael has served as Ohio Secretary and Chair, National Board of Directors, Codes & Standards Committee, ARDA Chairman, High Performance Homes Team, as well as Copyright and Marketing Teams. His deep institutional knowledge and commitment to the profession make him an invaluable voice on this year’s judging panel.

If you or your firm are doing outstanding work in residential design, this is your opportunity to earn recognition from judges who know what it truly takes to bring a project from concept to completion. Submissions are open now through June 8, 2026.

Submit your project and learn more about ARDA 2026 here: ResidentialDesignAwards.com.

Can’t wait to see your submissions,
The AIBD ARDA Committee

P.S. — Missed our earlier judge introductions? Meet judges George Zhang, Nayarit (Naya) Tineo, and Curtis L. Showvaker, CPBD.

P.P.S. — TODAY at 3:00 PM EDT: Join ARDA Winner Roberta D'Andrea's webinar "Architectural Storytelling Through Photography" to learn how to capture award-worthy images—even with just your smartphone. Register here: AIBD.org/webinars​