In this study, the critical elements of the design evaluation was investigated since 1990 for the winners at the architectural competition which was held nationwide in Germany. The investigation was carried out from January in 1990 to December in 2010. The field of function accounts for about half of four basic architectural fields. Then, it follows as function, etc, aesthetic and construction fields. According to the classification of Korea Land & Housing Corporation, the field of apartment complex accounts for about half of four basic architectural fields such as apartment complex, building, feasibility analysis and specialized design fields. The critical elements such as landscape and outdoor space design, arrangement of building, context, circulation, concept, form, unit plan, design of facade, cost of construction, organization of space are persistently proved to be essential. These items are regarded as the most important elements of the design evaluation at the competition in Germany as well. The results of this study can be applied to the development of the critical elements of design in Korea.