Organized by The Finnish Ministry of Education
The Finnish Association of Architects, 
Museum of Finnish Architecture
The Architectural Society
The Alvar Aalto Medal may be awarded once every five years to a person who has distinguished him or herself in a meaningful way in the field of creative architecture. 
The medal was established in 1967 by the Finnish Association of Architects, the Foundation for the Museum of Finnish Architecture and the Architectural Society. According to the rules, at least one medal must be awarded during a five-year period; however, only one may be awarded annually.

The Award was granted for the first time in 2000, after which it will be granted every second year.
The Award sum shall be EUR 50,000,-. The organiser reserves the right to alter the sum, provided that any new Award sum is confirmed by October of the calendar year preceding a year of the Award.
The Spirit of Nature Wood Architecture Award will be granted for architectural excellence to a person or group of persons whose work exemplifies a progressive and creative use of timber.
The actual works, for which the Award will be granted, may be public or private buildings, structures or environments, in which timber materials play a central role. They may include structure, surfaces, or constructions which successfully exploit the properties of timber.
The recipient of the international Spirit of Nature Wood Architecture Award in 2004 is architect Richard Leplastrier (b. 1939) from Australia.

The Steel Construction Prize is awarded to a remarkable building in which steel has been used in an exemplary way in terms of architecture, structural technology and economy. The prize is a highly regarded distinction in the building trade. Although it is generally awarded annually, the jury can also decide not to award it in a particular year if candidates of adequate standards are not at hand.