The Australian Institute of Architects has unveiled 43 projects representing the pinnacle of contemporary design, with winners addressing housing, climate and affordability crises through innovative solutions.
The Australian Institute of Architects unveiled its 2025 National Architecture Awards last night at the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra, celebrating 43 projects that represent the pinnacle of contemporary Australian design.
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The awards recognized 30 winning projects and 15 commendations across all states and territories, with jury chair Jane Cassidy emphasizing their role in addressing Australia’s most pressing challenges. “The winners of the National Architecture Awards set a precedent for our built future and help address the multiple crises facing society—the housing, climate and cost of living crisis—with innovative solutions,” Cassidy said.
Major Award Winners
The Robin Boyd Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (New) went to Studio Bright‘s Hedge and Arbour House in Victoria. The jury praised the project for its radical reimagining of suburban living, with the house almost entirely enveloped by landscape. “The sharp contrast between a formal hedge at the street and the wild landscape beyond underscores the house’s radical rethinking of how we might live,” the jury noted.
Hedge and Arbour House by Studio Bright.
The Harry Seidler Award for Commercial Architecture was awarded to Searle x Waldron Architecture‘s Northern Memorial Park Depot in Victoria. The project merges shed and workplace for cemetery staff, featuring suspended timber pods within glulam trusses. “Searle x Waldron bring rare humanity to what could have been a purely utilitarian facility, setting a new benchmark for the industrial workplace,” the jury stated.
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Northern Memorial Park Depot by Searle x Waldron Architecture.
The David Oppenheim Award for Sustainable Architecture recognized Hassell‘s First Building at Bradfield City Centre in NSW. Designed in collaboration with First Nations practice Djinjama, the project achieves a 50% reduction in embodied carbon and features prefabricated timber construction designed for disassembly and reuse.
First Building at Bradfield City Centre by Hassell.
The Sir Zelman Cowen Award for Public Architecture went to BVN‘s Yarrila Place in NSW, which combines library, museum, council and community functions. The jury praised its “playful programmatic Tetris” and noted the building’s catalytic influence on community connection and precinct regeneration.
Yarrila Place by BVN.
Complete List of Winners
Named Awards
COLORBOND® Award for Steel Architecture: Flinders Chase Visitors Centre | Troppo Architects | SA
The Harry Seidler Award for Commercial Architecture: Northern Memorial Park Depot | Searle x Waldron Architecture | VIC
The Daryl Jackson Award for Educational Architecture: James Cook University Engineering & Innovation Place | KIRK with i4 Architecture and Charles Wright Architects | QLD
James Cook University Engineering & Innovation Place by KIRK with i4 Architecture and Charles Wright Architects.
The Lachlan Macquarie Award for Heritage: Parliament of NSW Restoration | Tonkin Zulaikha Greer and Purcell Architecture | NSW
Parliament of NSW Restoration by Tonkin Zulaikha Greer and Purcell Architecture.
The Emil Sodersten Award for Interior Architecture: Babylon House | Casey Brown Architecture | NSW
Babylon House Interior by Casey Brown Architecture.
The Sir Zelman Cowen Award for Public Architecture: Yarrila Place | BVN | NSW
The Eleanor Cullis-Hill Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations and Additions): Niwa House | John Ellway | QLD
Niwa House by John Ellway.
The Robin Boyd Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (New): Hedge and Arbour House | Studio Bright | VIC
The Frederick Romberg Award for Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing: Blok Three Sisters | Blok Modular in collaboration with Vokes & Peters | QLD
Blok Three Sisters by Blok Modular in collaboration with Vokes & Peters.
The David Oppenheim Award for Sustainable Architecture: First Building – Bradfield City Centre | Hassell | NSW
The Walter Burley Griffin Award for Urban Design: Sydney Metro City Stations | Sydney Metro | NSW
National Awards
Commercial Architecture
Everlane Cremorne | Fieldwork | VIC
Everlane Cremorne by Fieldwork.
Educational Architecture
The Shed, University of Tasmania | Wardle | TAS
St. Joseph’s Catholic Primary School Rosebery | Neeson Murcutt Neille | NSW
The Shed, University of Tasmania by Wardle.
St. Joseph’s Catholic Primary School Rosebery by Neeson Murcutt Neille.
Enduring Architecture
Uluṟu – Kata Tjuṯa Cultural Centre | Gregory Burgess | NT
Heritage
The Australian War Memorial New Entrance and Parade Ground | Studio.SC | ACT
Uluru – Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre by Gregory Burgess Pty Ltd.
The Australian War Memorial New Entrance and Parade Ground by Studio.SC.
Interior Architecture
Melbourne Place | Kennedy Nolan | VIC
New Castle | Anthony St John Parsons | NSW
Melbourne Place by Kennedy Nolan.
New Castle by Anthony St John Parsons.
International Architecture
Reuben College | fjcstudio | Oxford, United Kingdom
Reuben College by fjcstudio.
Public Architecture
Truganina Community Centre | Jasmax (Canvas Projects) | VIC
Eva and Marc Besen Centre | Kerstin Thompson Architects | VIC
Truganina Community Centre by Jasmax (Canvas Projects).
Eva and Marc Besen Centre by Kerstin Thompson Architects.
Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations and Additions)
Gunn Ridge House | Kennedy Nolan | VIC
The Stopover | Taylor Buchtmann Architecture | SA
Gunn Ridge House by Kennedy Nolan.
The Stopover by Taylor Buchtmann Architecture.
Residential Architecture – Houses (New)
Mapleton House | Atelier Chen Hung | QLD
New Castle | Anthony St John Parsons | NSW
Lagoon House | Peter Stutchbury Architecture | NSW
Mapleton House by Atelier Chen Hung.New Castle by Anthony St John Parsons.Lagoon House by Peter Stutchbury Architecture.
Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing
Shiel Street, North Melbourne, Community Housing Project | Clare Cousins Architects | VIC
Indi Sydney | Bates Smart | NSW
Shiel Street, North Melbourne, Community Housing Project by Clare Cousins Architects.Indi Sydney by Bates Smart.
Small Project Architecture
Geelong Laneways: Malop Arcade | NMBW Architecture Studio with ASPECT Studios | VIC
Denman Village Park Amenities | Carter Williamson Architects | ACT
Geelong Laneways: Malop Arcade by NMBW Architecture Studio with ASPECT Studios.Denman Village Park Amenities by Carter Williamson Architects.
Sustainable Architecture
METRONET Morley-Ellenbrook Line Project | Woods Bagot with TRCB, TCL and UDLA | WA
METRONET Morley-Ellenbrook Line Project by Woods Bagot with TRCB, TCL and UDLA.
National Commendations
Commercial Architecture
Melbourne Place | Kennedy Nolan | VIC
39 Martin Place | Tzannes and Lendlease Integrated Solutions | NSW
The St Lukes Building | TERROIR | TAS
Educational Architecture
Pascoe Vale Primary School | Kosloff Architecture | VIC
Interior Architecture
Boot Factory and Mill Hill Centre Precinct | Archer Office | NSW
Public Architecture
Paula Fox Melanoma and Cancer Centre | Lyons | VIC
Allan Border Oval Pavilion | Archer Office | NSW
Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations and Additions)
Photography Amico Anson Smart Benjamin Hosking Brad Griffin Brett Boardman CHRISTOPHER FREDERICK JONES David Chatfield Derek Swalwell Felix Mooneram fjcstudio John Gollings Leo Showell Mark Syke Peter Bennetts Rory Gardiner TBArch Tess Kelly Thurston Empson Toby Scott Tom Roe Tom Ross Trevor Mein Zella Casey Brown
