2023 Sustainability Awards winners

In a dazzling gala ceremony held at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground, 250 passionate advocates of sustainable design and architecture gathered to celebrate the 17th annual Sustainability Awards, presented by Architecture & Design. This remarkable event showcased the outstanding contributions of individuals, projects, and products in the realm of sustainable built design, furthering the ongoing efforts to enhance and protect our environment.

With the pressing need for widespread change, both nationally and globally, it has never been more crucial to shine a spotlight on pioneering design on a national platform. The Sustainability Awards continue to serve as a beacon, promoting the remarkable talent, innovation, and technology that will steer Australia toward the ambitious goal of achieving net-zero emissions.

The 17th edition of these prestigious awards brought together leading members of the architecture and design community. The winners, who gathered at the Sydney Cricket Ground, were deeply appreciative of this opportunity to come together and showcase their dedication to sustainability.

The evening was marked by the presentation of 19 coveted trophies, exquisitely designed and crafted by Axolotl, along with 14 Honourable Mentions. These accolades represent a small token of the recognition and reward that these exceptional individuals and projects deserve.

This year’s awards hold special significance, particularly with the upcoming COP29 summit and the growing global realisation that we have been living unsustainably for far too long. The imperative to employ our design prowess to mitigate our carbon footprint is more evident than ever. The Sustainability Awards offer a platform to amplify and celebrate these vital efforts.

Acknowledging the success of the 2023 Sustainability Awards, special thanks and heartfelt gratitude is extended to the esteemed jury, led by the new Head Judge, Jeremy Spencer. The jury’s steadfast support, commitment, and expertise in judging and guiding the program have solidified these awards as Australia’s most esteemed in sustainable built design.

Further appreciation is extended to program partners, without whom this event would not have been possible. The 2023 partners included Autex Acoustics, Interface, Network Architectural, Verosol, Sika, Wood Solutions, NeXTimber, ForestOne, Bondor, Metecno, GH Commercial, Holcim, BlueScope, Electrolux, Siniat, Deco, Stormtech, Knauf, and Billi. Strategic partners include the Association of Consulting Architects, Global GreenTag, ACOR, Regional Architecture Association, and trophy partner, Axolotl.

The 2023 Sustainability Awards exemplify our collective commitment to a sustainable future and the positive impact that visionary design can have on our world. We look forward to another year of remarkable achievements in sustainable built design and the continued journey towards a more sustainable, environmentally conscious future.

The Sustainability Awards Gala was preceded by a full day Sustainability Summit consisting of 10 knowledge filled, CPD certified sessions. With over 50 speakers – all experts in their chosen fields, the Sustainability Summit offered insights rarely available in one place at the same time in a hybrid format ensuring attendance was possible for over 700 attendees Australia wide online or in person from the iconic Allianz Stadium, Sydney.

So, let’s get to all of this year’s winners and honourable mentions!

Best of the Best

Partnered by Autex Acoustics

Ferrars & York, HIP V. HYPE with Six Degrees Architects

Editor’s Choice (Social & Community Outcomes)

Partnered by Sika

Aboriginal Housing Victoria, Breathe Architecture

Lifetime Achievement

Partnered by BlueScope

Dick Clarke

David Baggs

Commercial Architecture (Large)

Partnered by Network Architectural

Winner – Heritage Lanes, 80 Ann, Mirvac with Woods Bagot

Honourable Mention – Melbourne Connect, Woods Bagot with Hayball and ASPECT Studios

*Heritage Lanes, 80 Ann, photograph by Brett Boardman.*

Commercial Architecture (Small)

Partnered by Verosol

Delatite Cellar Door, Lucy Clemenger Architects

Public Building

Partnered by Siniat

Winner – Pimpama Sports Hub, Liquid Blu

Honourable Mention – National Throws Centre of Excellence, Phillips Smith Conwell with Fabritecture and XLam

*Photograph by Christopher Frederick Jones.*

Interior Design

Partnered by GH Commercial

Winner – 70 George Street – COX Sydney Studio, COX Architecture

Honourable Mention – Fresh Hope Office, Breathe Architecture

*70 George Street by COX Architecture, photograph by Nicole England.*

Single Dwelling (New)

Partnered by Stormtech

Winner – Huff’n’Puff Haus, Envirotecture

Honourable Mention – Farrier Lane House, MDC Architects

*Huff’n’Puff Haus, photograph by Marnie Hawson.*

Single Dwelling (Alteration)

Partnered by Deco

Winner – Music Room, Alexander Symes Architect

Honourable Mention – Copa Came In From The Cold, Envirotecture

*Music Room, Alexander Symes Architect*, *photograph by Barton Taylor.*

Hospitality & Tourism

Partnered by Bondor Metecno

Delatite Cellar Door, Lucy Clemenger Architects

Multi-Residential Dwelling

Partnered by Electrolux

Winner – Ferrars & York, HIP V. HYPE with Six Degrees Architects

Honourable Mention – Aboriginal Housing Victoria, Breathe Architecture

Honourable Mention – Nightingale Village, Architecture architecture, Austin Maynard Architects, Breathe, Clare Cousins Architects, Hayball and Kennedy Nolan